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Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1923, Page 2

W'ksti.ani) in itarticular, can afford to sit up and take notice of what is happening through the policy of the Forest Service, for the reason that sawmilling is the principal industry ol the province. There are thousands cf pounds invested in the various enterprises. Hundreds of men are employed. Handling and freightage muse large sums of money to be circulated, i lie magnitude of til ; enterprises established in our midst show to what dimensions the industry would grow if given fair play. Yet the Forest Service steps in, and first cheeks progress with prohibiting regulations, and then sets about a confiscatory policy. As a test ol the jiosition, it would be interesting were a. company for sawmilling to be promoted in this or any other New Zealand district iust now. to see what financial support would he extended the proposition. No one would venture ro put a six pc me into a development enterprise as a speculation! The Forest Service lum killed tbai. It has dried up sources of wealth which otherwise would l>e available tor industrial development. It him not only checked legitimate progress in regard to the industry, it has blocked it altoge’.h c-. With this icsult staring us in the boo, we rcjieat it is high time the millers set to work to educate public opinion on the matter.

| flow best to sot about the tusk which | is tho surest way of ventilating the ; question to the best advantage ts the ■ next question. The millers of the : Coast cannot do better than follow the example of tho North Island millers and asoeiate themselves in a public protest which should reach all the Ministers without delay, and every member of Parliament. It would Is.* well to do this quickly on the eve of the Prime Minister’s departure. Wo are persuaded from what we have gleaned that Mr- Alassey senses the danger of the policy being pursued, and were it any other Minister than the one directly responsible for the forestry policy who is behind the movement complained of, the Premier would no doubt act decisively. The situation is thus governed by the influence of one Minister, and the agitation should aim at undermining that influence in the only place where definite good can lie done at this juncture—the floor of the Mouse. There should he concerted action on the part of the millers to reach that vantage ground, and have the whole subject ventilated before Ah' Alassey hurries off to England. The greatest help could ho given by the Prime .Minister at this stage, and his intervention would lead no doubt to important modifications. Unless this comes to pass the Forest Service is likely to go on doing serious injury to the industry.

Next to Parliament, it would lie wise to get the ear of the press and the public. The menace lias become so serious by the latest forecast of future [Hilicy, that the millers will U> very soon with their backs to the wall, fighting for their rights of property. Such l>eitig the case, it is worth an effort, air exfx-nsive effort if need he, lo secure relief from an incubus which will weigh down the industry to breaking point where private interests will he worthless, and property which cost thousands to place in running order, will have no saleable value, for private sawmill ownership will be void of value. A full exposition of tho trend of the forestry policy should he broadcasted, so that all manufacturers and employers of labour might understand where the radical confiscatory policy of the Government is landing those who were enticed by the law of the land, to take up Crown rights only to find themselves robbed of their dearly bought legal privileges when the sweet will of the Department operates adversely. Vie are satisfied the general body of the public, tho press, and the employers, do not realise the trend of the present polir-v, which will, unless checked, wreck the milling industry and adverclv operate against free employment ot ;.'w ■-!!-, stopping progress and holding the natural development of tho district.