The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 1923. THE TIMBER TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 1923. THE TIMBER TRADE.

Tub interview the sawmiller.s had on Monday with the Secretary to the Industries and Commerce Department served to emphasise very plainly and definitely the disaster overshadowing milling in this district, as so frequently foreshadowed in these columns, even if those chiefly concerned failed to realise where the policy of the Government in regard to the timber trade was landing the industry. Tho sawmill ing industry is the staple industry of the Coast, yet it is in danger of very serious curtailment, which will carry in its train heavy loss to those who have their capital sunk in the business and produce a. sorious loss of employment which will reflect itself all over the community. The Government official who was courtesy itself to the deputation, lmd to toll the plain tact, and that was the absolute decision to enforce the policy of restriction on tho export of red pine. We do not know of anything more certain of calamity to tho whole Coast, than the complete enforcement. of the restrictions —and evidently the Government is hent on that action. It- lias been evident all along that one man and one man alone, js responsible for this critical state of affairs. We refer, of course, to Sir Francis Hell, the most influential iitemIkt of the Cabinet. As we state above the restrictions and our opposition thereto, is not a new aspect. The whole position was laid bare in 191!), when in duly of that year, Sir Francos met the sawmillers and local body representatives at a conference here. It is litteresting to recall the press comment of those days, and in another column we reprint- by request, what was then said by the Grey Kiver Argus the Greymouth Star, and tho Hokitika Guardian. But despite the warning on that occasion and several subsequent warnings in this column (which have brought us no end of odium in certain quarters) the millers went on living in a fool's paradise, hoping for the matter to right itself. It is not going to right itself, unless the millers and their employees can discharge a bombshell at the feet of the Government. And the longer they delay the worse the situation will grow for they are gradually losing the Australian market now in any case, and a profitable avenue for trading is being cut off. Tho mills of the Coast are capable of cutting twice the amount of timber they do for the Dominion trade, which means that very soon they will be all on short commons, and the workmen and their families will be in for a bad time, while the trading and business people will be suffering in common. Even Hon. Michel who so often supports the Government through thick and thin, sees the menace to the district in the present position of affairs, and that confirms but once again what has been so obvious to ur fer tho past

four years. The next move is with the millers, and we suggest, also, their employees. These two parties are .specially affected, and it is for them to unite their forces and endeavour to avoid tho disaster ahead. The danger is not confined to this district, nor this Coast. Other parts of tho Dominion are seriously involved also, and by unity of action, by securing the active support of the Parliamentarians; the only method of testing the whole position effectively is on the floor of the House, where the Government policy should be discussed in all its bearings. Only through that channel can any measure of relief bo obtained, and those involved in the matter should move in tho direction suggested with the loast possible delay before it is too luto in tho present session.