Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1927, Page 2

.run year now passing away lias been dull generally, and in particular the .sawmilling industry lias felt the pinch. A year ago the prospects for the new year were not bright, and appearances were not deceptive It was a depressed year lor the industry. Now. in the closing days, the silver lining is showing 'on the enveloping clouds. It is rood news to learn from Australia that the new Customs duty imposed on foreign timlvers will place a check on the import of timber which has rather supplanted the New Zealand trade. Redpine in particular is likely to feel the effects of the change, and quite an optimistic view is taken of the prospects for the trade in the opening year. Already orders are 1 icing hooked. and the result is that some of the red pine mills will lie starting up full handed after the holidays, and the

holdays are not Ikelv to he extended this season, wo understand. This is very good news and will give something of. a fillip to the holiday season itself now being entered upon. If the clouds are really passing as there seems every prospect, then the year which is opening so soon will mean very much to a district such as this where rod pine is in such prolific qunntitos. Tt is to he hoped that at this juncture the Forest Service will not stop in and check the promising industrial revival with any foolish embargo on export. That policy killed materially the trade with Australia in the past, and the effect on this Coast lias been little short of disastrous. "With the Minister in charge of State Forests due here shortly, it is to lie hoped the business community. local bodies, and all interested in the timlier trade will combine in

united representations to the Government representative not to mar the prospects for a healthy revival by enforcing any academic regulations to stifle trade. The country needs all the outside business it can win. and the proved timber connection with Austra-

develop from a. revival in inter-export to Australia,