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Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1927, Page 2

The tariff has been much in the public mind of late, and this district lias been particularly interested in the proposed levy on timber and dredging material In regard to both some important concessions were made on the first proposals published. A reference has been made already to the position regarding the duty on dredging material, and it will have been observed that Mr fled don has specially thanked the Government for what lias been done regarding .timber. It is understood that in the latest adjustment made by the Minister of Customs, a twenty per cent, increase in the duty has l>con granted oil the original proposals mado ns affecting imports. This, we gather, is so satisfactory to the New Zealand millers, that it was not deemed necessary to present any further requests in the House on the subject when the Minister brought down the amended duties. The tariff rate has been substantially increased, and this must fie very gratifying to those engaged in the timber industry. On top of what is being done through. the* tariff, the Prime Minister has referred with satisfaction to the organisation within being developed by the millers as a means still further to improve the industry. With this combination of forces it may he expected that the industry will lie able to compete with the foreign article. This is the obvious possibility, and the millers must make a definite move in that direction, seeing that now they know the limit to which the Government will ro in regard to a protective tariff. The iiulustry should begin to lift its head. The Government Departments able to cooperate, propose to lessen the restrictions against, the use of Dominion timbers, and in particulr there is the promise of a demand for ordinary building timbers. Tn this way the Government has not neglected to do what it could and the thanks which Mr Seddon expressed in Parliament appears to have been well earned and thoroughly deserved. It is pleasing to chronicle this fact, for in conjunction with what has been promised in regard to dredging machinery, it would appear that Ibe district will receive a fair deal, and that being so it remains now for tlie industries to work out their own destinies by a policy of steady and system.'! ti c do vclopmcn t.