The Gaurdain (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the west Coast Times.) THURSDAY, JULY 12th, 1923. RESTRICTION OF TIMBER EXPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1923, Page 2

The Gaurdain (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the west Coast Times.) THURSDAY, JULY 12th, 1923. RESTRICTION OF TIMBER EXPORT.

The policy of the restriction of timber export, by the present Government appears to be firmly resolved upon. The matter is of such outstanding importance to th.is community that we must re.fer to the matter again in the hope that- sooner than later some awakening will oome to pass and there will be unity of action in a definite public

j'eal which will ensure the proiest 'ring heard all through New Zealand. 'Dm lostrit-tion of the export of red pine appears to l.e so opposed to ordinary principles governing local industrial conditions that we feel this part, ol the Dominion cannot afford to endure the regulation. In the first place, the restriction must have a seriotis financial ollect on the large milling enterprises set up on the Coast. In the next place, it will tend to seriously uffect labor conditions. Those two results will react on tile community as a whole, and business people generally will ieel the pinch, and certainly miss the degree of progress which would result from a nourishing milling industry. Then there is the other side of the question afiecting as it does the true forestry policy of the country. The restriction operates adversely ( against a proper conservation and the j fetter utilization of the forests. If j thoie is not a. free trade, and an open I market, to consume the whole product j of the forest, it follows that the lui.sli will lie j icked over, and only selected marketable timlier for a restricted trade, milled. Much will he left in the hush. This will he a condition of waste, quite beyond retrieving, because once the hush has Ikh-ii purged of its better trees, there can he no useful return to retrieve the waste left behind for lack of a market. The Australian trade consumed n very useful volume of secondary timber which is not saleable in New Zealand, and with the former market closed, a large quota of flie forest product becomes valueless. With a limited market here for sales, it is manifest that only the best quality timber will be used—the lower grades will be lost, to use. 11l this district alone, the number of Rawniil!ers are more than equal to the probable, orders available. Half-time cutting at best will bo necessary if staffs arc to ho tetained. I-arge ventures which have been entered upon, because of promising industrial development through the Australian market, nowfind themselves face to face with a barrier which will not- permit export. That prohibitive means writing down the capital value of the sawmilling industry in New Zealand by thousands of pounds. It means stifling industry, crippling enterprise, and generally acting in a. retrograde manner. Yet the people as a whole arc silent to the position, while an industrial calamity overtakes the district. The position is governed in the main by the theories which Sir Fnncis Bell puts forward. It is time the people as a whole took hold of this matter, and in no uncertain way gave the Government to understand where the policy was leading tb® industry,

As fin indication 'of the fallacy of tho policy, its relation to freehold lands supplies a enso in point. The owner of freehold lnnd is forbidden by law to exploit- any timber growing on his area, and export it. He may hew it down, and burn it—lay it waste and destroy it; but under the precious regulation prohibiting export, lie may not employ labor,, and turn the 1 rcduct into wealth and add to the community earning power. It is not contended that unrestricted export should go on indefinitely. New Zealand demands must first be complied, with. That is the position with regard to white pine, and if similar conditions prevailed in regard to led pine, then the situation would 1)0 met- equitably. A forestry expert who was lately in New Zealand has laid it down that unrestricted export, if allowed without tho supervision or influence of a progressive forestry policy, might he ultimately grievous for the country allowing such, but with an adequate forest service and progressive forestry policy. properly regulated export of surplus timber becomes an essential. That views lays down tho position very fairly and without any regard for fads or faddists. At the moment then is ft call upon 11 thoshohweva e - 228U4 a call upon all those who have the future of the Coast at- heart to see that the district is not unduly set- hack at a time when industrial expansion is looked for and not serious restriction which will drive many men and their families out of the district- and add unduly to the army of unemployed.

A reference has just been made to the need for an adequate forest service and a progressive (not restrictive) forestry policy. A very expensive tic—- ] artment has been set up, and it. is .suited with many experts. The "policy” so far disclosed is largely a paper one, but nevertheless is ambitious. What would he more satisfying at this juncture would l.v a plain declaration from the experts, as to bow far they approve the resti iclion of export ot ml pint*. At the recent- Royalties Commis-ion the local Conservator would not give liis estimate of the probable life of tlie Westland forest. Hut without this evidence, the average Coaster with a knowledge ot the extent of red pine forest, mm venture an opinion, and we are satisfied no local resident would feel any coiiiorn about the unrestricted export of red pine for some time to come. There will remain many millions of Icet then lor the unborn millions. Such being tho rase we would hope, if the forest service wishes to do a fair thing, that its chief officers would not- remain silent at this juncture and allow ft- great indust rv to lie imperilled. We are satisfied that the hold up exists only at the da tum ol one Minister, and suielv the opinion of finest service experts would overcome that w ith tile Government n the opinion were given fairly. Here i, a chance for the forest, sen ice to do Westland a measure of real service.