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Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1927, Page 2

The plight of the timber trade grows more and more acute all through the Dominion. The deports from other centres point to the fact that public opinion is aroused to a greater degree than it is here. Yet here sawmilling is the staple industry for absorbing labor, and affording general employment. There is one aspect of the trouble which is likely to be 'overlooked, and that is in regard to the hint as to the great stores of sawn timber already cut and awaiting., a. market, It is plain that the millers have and are doing their part in the endeavour to keep the wheels of industry going by cutting in advance. The result is that at the mills, the railway sidings, and in the marketing yards of the centres, there are now vast stores of timlier awaiting a market. But buyers are not offering. The value sank in this asset is a declining quantity, but it represents many thousands of pounds and shows a very present hardship which the enterprising sawmfller has to face. It is little wonder indeed with reserve stocks so large that the mills are closing down. It is not reasonable to expect them to continue in the face of the financial stringency resulting from the overstocking, which is unsaleable. As the milling trade is such a large factor in the way of general employment the effect of the

loss of trade and stoppage of the mills is going to bo serious and far-reacth-ing in its results. With the universal representations now being made something must he attempted to remedy the position. Something construetivc should he put forward by the Government which with its restrictions on export and trade hampering regulations has contributed in no small measure to the present plight of the industry.