TIMBER ROYALTIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1924, Page 3

TIMBER ROYALTIES.

WEST COAST DEPUTATION. THE MINISTER'S REPLY. (By Telegraph—Special to Guardian). WEI.LI.NHTON, July .11. Owing to the indisposition of the Prime .Minister, the deputation regarding the Royalties Commission Report Was taken by Sir Francis Hell, Sir Heaton Rhodes and lion .McLeod (Minister ol Lands). I Mr J. O'lirien. M.P., introduced the I ilepii tal ion w hich asked for the payI ment of hack royalties and a coniiniiation ol the payment ot royalties as I provided by tbe Act of lPllu and t lie setting up of a Eorestry Advisory Hoard. Mr E. A. Wells (County Chairman) read a lengthy statement, dealing with the position ol the Counties. Mr Rhodes M.P., .Mr Stanton (Tatimarunui). Mr O’lirien i Muller). Mr Ravil Grey) and Mr Hell (I supported. Sir Francis Hell reply, said the Hovernnieii t. were not. eon.-hiding the matter of the icp'oi't yet. When they did .so they would have the benefit, of the local body criticism, and would give the representations their I idlest eoii'ideratii.n. When on the Coast live years ago j crsonally. he recognis'd. the <1 1 lost ion of royalties in relation to local hollies would have to he considered and still was of that opinion. The revenue Iron, furc.xt.s went ; to the Treasury and Finance wan for • the Minister to deal with. The State j Forests Department were not really I roarer,led as was t.bought generally. J In the |nsl. the l.cral Rallies had j induced Wardens to grant timber cutting lights for lo al !>. d.v revenue. It j was mt advisable to leave that power I witii the Warden, hence the loiest j pulley, lull a portion of tho revenue should go to Loral Rudies. i (Ii le-i Ministers made sympathetic j replies and |h" mailer now goes lie- , fore Cabinet. 1