The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1927. EMPTY HANDED.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1927. EMPTY HANDED.

Tiie influential deputation which went to Wellington this week lias returned empty-handed. The best that can be .said is that the Prime Minister “promised to give the representations the most serious consideration.” It is regrettable the Prime Minister’s remarks on the whole were a resume of the speeches of Sir Francis Pell of seven years ago, when he promoted the conservative policy with regard 1 to the timber industry embodied in the working of the Forest Service in this country. Seven years ago the West Coast press were unanimous in the declaration that the Forest Service policy as enunciated by Sir Francis, was a menace to the timber industry, and that prediction has come to pass—the industry has been brought to a. standstill through the conservative policy complained of. There was, however, a ray of light in the remark? of the Minister of Industries, that i permits to export were now being given—but why the restriction even of the permit ! The country lias lost its valuable market in Australia through the policy of 11011-export, and until there was some assurance of free ex port in the future, what hope is there of re-establishing the trade with the fear that the permits could he withdrawn at any time. If the Ministers had been frank and offered to withdraw or suspend the objectionable regulations for an extended period, there would he something tangible to work upon and confidence would in some measure be restored. Although three Ministers answered the deputation, nothing of a constructive nature was put forward. Are we to suppose that the Ministry is barren of ideas to assist one of the greatest industries in the Dominion? A week earlier, when meeting the farmers in Canterbury, the Government was more constructive and gave a positive assurance that wheat-growing in New Zealand would not he wrecked by imports. But there was nothing hopeful for the timber industry at Wellington tbis week. Either the Ministers had not studied the position as closely ns they should have done, or the deputation—large ns it was—was not influential enough to make the necessary impression. The reply of the Minister of Customs was on academic lines, but he should have been better prepayed for the cross-ox-

animation, lie shirked the duty of giving ail expression of opinion even, sheltering himself behind what Cabinet might do. The matter lias been sufficiently long before the country, and the Ministers have received sufficient requests Ibr redress, to have long ago considered the mattci in all its serious hearing. As it is, matters remain at an inconclusive stage while the Prime Ministei devotes “serious consideration'' to the problem. There is no doubt the timber trade is the life blood of the district, industrially and economically. It provides a lucrative avenue of employment, and affords an opening for so much general Inborn in the handling of the commodity, that it is the best employer in this district. It is a great feeder for the railways, and of special assistance to shipping, so that the ramifications of the trade are of wide expansion. Ministers, if they realise all these factors, should lie alert enough to avoid weeks of stagnation going hv without some suggestion for relief. Ihe position should lie remedied, indeed it must, if a catastrophe is to he avoided. What has been done so far. should he a preliminary for even a wider public aei'a-

tion to stii the Government to action. It seen < difficult io disabuse the minds of the Ministers that the incests van be readily and quickly cut out. That is impossible with the volume of trade offering. The native res nin es of New Zealand will take long years to use iq). yet Ministers harp on flint string as did Kir Francis Bell seven years ago when he took an unusual course to establish the forestry policy the country suffers under. If the Govern-

ment is going to consider its own people of to-day, and not the people of foreign countries who are living on the New Zealand market, then it must needs act speedily to save the industry from serious consequences.