The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY. APRIL 5, 1927. THE UMBER TIMBER INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY. APRIL 5, 1927. THE UMBER TIMBER INDUSTRY

Tun deputation truni districts nitcctcd iiv tin slump m the timber industry, wliicli is lo wait on the Prime .Minister at Welington to-morrow is a highly important one. In all centres where milling is an established industry there is a pinch to-day because pi the loss of general employment and the allioiiihl curtailment, in the circulation ol wages. In this way the slump not on.y alfccts the proprietors and the cmployces 111 the mills, but also all indirectly affected in subsidiary works, and til particular, the tradespeople ol the district. It is impossible to contemplate the bug:.: quanttics of timbei stored in stacks adjacent to the. railway lines awaiting shipment, without realising the serious import of the slump to the industry and the district, What is visible here in the way of stored timber tor whi'-h there is a lack ol orders, is hut a tithe of the vast quantities spicad through New Zealand in like manner. All this stored timber means slackness o| trade for the railways and steamers, and generally the stringency in the trade is rcllectcd all through the community. The deputation at

Wellington to-inorioiv will, no doubt, present this aspect of the ease to the Government. But it is a twice told tale and most, he realised its much by the Government as the ordinary miller or tradesman. Having reached a conclusion tts to the general situation, what is to he done to remedy the position ' There will he a demand for an increased duly to keen out foreign timbers, which are encroaching on the local trade as to he a serious menace. The foreign timber is coming in under unfair competition. Cheaper labour and freights permit the overseas commodity to outsell the article produced in New Zealand, even though the former has to he transported many thousands of miles. There tire reasons .for this, and these should he investigated and met. That is not asking too much if the people in this country are to live, rather than that the good money of this country should he .sent to a remote foriegn country where other people arc supported with .New Zealand money. The farmers who are buying cheap timber for blitter boxes should hear this aspect in mind, and think also of the foreigner who takes their money, hut does not consume their produce. The New Zealand worker who does patronise the Dominion produce finds his income so depleted tTia'f Tils purchasing power is reduced, and his buying of New Zealand produce is affected. That is an interesting aspect worth hearing in mind. Hut the Govrnment (to return to the major view) must do more than endeavour to meet the situation in part or whole with the taiiff. Harassing regulations must be “let up.” Where prohibitory clauses operate, such must be cancelled, or at least suspended till trade rights itself. The royalties on Crown timber should not he increased unduly, and no other expense heaped upon the miller contributing to the overhead costs which add to the price of the product. Railway rates should he overhauled, and where possible concessions made, j Conditions should bo eased where posI sible, and the miller saved from incuri ring high costs which are inevitable I under present regulations and stringent i administration. The industry is of gieat moment to the country economically. The vast number employed and the turn-over in business and trade accounts for much of the general prosperity—of the centres where milling is centred. This is borne out by the position now when a slump spreads over the land. Some relief must be afforded. It is being given in other directons. The Government finds a way to help other industries, and something must be done for the nulling trade. The outcome of the deputation to-morrow will be awaited with the greatest interest