THE TIMBER INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1927, Page 1

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY

A meeting was held at the County Chambers last evening regarding the timber industry. The Alayor presided, and invited Air Turnbull who was present, to address the meeting and explain the aims and objects of the proposed Timber Advancement League. Among those present were several town and country residents connected with the industry, but a rather marked absence of business people. Air W. E. Turnbull thanked th Alayor for the opportunity of meeting so representative a meeting. He was being well received on the Coast, and hoped good would be the outcome. In the North island many small towns were being affected by the timber slump, which caused unemployment pud the consequent loss of wages circulating in the district. '1 be present movement took shape at Ohakune quite recently, prompted mainly by the business people who realising the loss, and a mote to start the League was tiiken in band. When the Tariff Commission passed through Ohakune ii was arranged to give evidence, and fifteen witnesses were put forward, patient and interested bearing was given the witnesses, and as a matter of fact, the timber industry should loom large in the Commission’s report. There were some 10,000 workers engaged in the. timber industry, and they were a fine type of citizen. There were very few disputes among the workmen, and the country should give them consideration. The money loss to the New Zealand industry last year owing to imported foreign timber wins over a million sterling. Tt was time action was taken to stem the tide, and it was proposed to organise an opposition which would he heard in the House. American timber should he stopped, for the United States offered no reciprocal tariff. New Zealand goods were Ijirred in America, bv a high tariff wall. Sweden was sending butter boxes to New Zealand, which came in duty free, and the farmers were Using the timber, doing their own countrymen out of employment, foreign timbers were shutting out New Zealand 0.8. timber now to a very seriotm degree, and doing the industry great injury. Agitation for the use of 0.8. timber should lie insistent, and local bodies should bo urged to that effect, so that the local by-laws will he amended to exclude the foreign article. Publicity work was going on and headwav was being made. They proposed to agitate for a big duty on foreign timber—a high protective duty to keep out the oversell article, and alfoid more employment for workmen in Now Zealand. The membership_ of the League was fixed at a minimum of 2s Gil so that it would he universal. The movement was being well supported hy the workmen in the North Island. He asked that a branch of the League be formed locally and that a telegram he sent to the Government asking for a high protective tariff for the benefit of the local industry. Tn reply to a question. Mr Turnbull said tho tendency was to specify lor heart timbers for buildings in the centres, excluding 0.8.. and for the latter, foreign timber was substituted Mr Murdoch said the main point was being missed—namely that, the restrictive regulations prohibiting export to Australia, had killed the oversea market which had been built up at a great cost to the millers. The blame for the present position should he placed at the door of Dm Government which had pub legislation on the stlntuto book prohibiting export, at the same time building up an expensive department which was trying to grow timber which would never ho of the value of the local timber hero to-day. which was being ruthlessly destroyed because of the Government restrictions. Tho Government regulations killed the export trade. The meeting should he outspoken about the true position of affairs which was the primary cause of the timber slump. Mr Turnbull realised the position was as stated hy Mr Murdoch. The attitude of the Forestry Department was to force up the royalties without helping the miller, aggravating their offence hy still allowing the foreign timber to conic. Air Berlinm asked if the sawmillers’ organisations in the North Island wcie helping? Air Turnbull said they were getting

a measure of help from tho millers and the workers in the North Island. The South Island Guild was to consider the matter the next day. Tt was undcistood there wins a sympathetic Parliament just now. and that favourable condition was to he followed up. The present agitation had its inception among business people who felt the loss of trade in the North Island. Replying to Air Appleton, Air Turnbull said the League was ill touch with the Sawmillers’ Federation, and hoped to have fuller co-operation. Mr Turnbull said there were millions of feet of timber at present cut and stacked unsold in the Dominion. Mr Turner proposed a branch ot the League lie formed. Mr Houston seconded. The motion was carried. Those present, about twenty, agreed to join as members. Air Perrv was elected President oi the Branch. Mr R. J- Appleton was appointed Secretary and Treasurer. Committee; Those present, with power tn add. were appointed. • A general discussion ensued willi regard to the working of the League and the general administration. Mr Turnbull said the League Was only lately established, ft was incorporated. On his early return north a meetjn<r of Flic executive would he held and he would report as to the success of his mission. It was hoped to cooperate in tho proposed monster deputation to the Prime Minister, and Mr Feddon. ALP., had promised to wdvise the date fixed. That would he an opportunity to ventilate the views and seek some idea of the Government poliev At the same time petitions would ho circulated for signature for presentation later to Parliament, and

it was honed the number of signatures which would he appended would impress members of Parliament as to Hie feelte in the country’- T . lie * on ?. us nature of tho present position in the North Island was fully realised nml whole hearted support was iorthcomimr from the timber workers and business people who realism! how employment and general trade were affee ed In- the decline in the local timber output and the increase in the foicign import of timber. Tt was agreed that the Alayoi Uleerraph to the Prime Minister pointing

out that the representative P>> " meeting ask that ( over,,..lent place a high protective tariff on foreign timbers. adding that the lack of employment is being seriously felt by woiktnen and the reduction m spemlm power is seriously affecting local Hade After further discussion of tiie general position, Air Murdoch moved a vote of thanks to Air Turnbull complimenting him on the active Winner in which the work was being taku ini. Air Perry seconded. —Carried. All Turnbull acknowledged the vote. A vote of thanks to the Macoi concluded the meeting.