The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West. Coast Times. TUESDAY, WAY 8, 1928. AFTER TEN YEARS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West. Coast Times. TUESDAY, WAY 8, 1928. AFTER TEN YEARS.

The restrictions on the export of timber have l>een removed—after ten years. An inspired statement on the subject- says that- “the restrictions were imposed in 1918 because at that time very large quantities of New Zealand timber were l>eing sent out of the Dominion, such action being regarded as prejudicial to the country’s own interests!” If that lie a true estimate of the situation then it is a mistake to reverse the policy for “prejudicial interests” will arise again. However, we are rather hopeful that the Government, even at this late hour, has seen the error of its ways, and lias recanted wisely. Turning back to old files we find Sir Francis Bell, who was the unblushing sponsor of the legislation which did such lasting harm to the timber industry of the country, said, when he addressed the Commissioners of Crown Lands that “provision should be made so as to ensure to the people of New Zealand a constant supply of timber for their own use.” and in order to meet this said, “the export of timber for use outside New Zealand cannot continue in the future as in the past.” A very strong protest was mndq against the policy for a good

trade had been built up with Australia, and riiucli timber which went to waste, here in New Zealand found a payable market overseas. Hut the Ministry was deaf to all logical arguments, and so the blow fell. The results unfortunately were as predicted. A lucrative trade was lost. A restricted production resulted. With the falling off of trade, less money came into the Dominion. Til© sawmilling industry began to slacken. Men were put out of employment. Capital invested in the industry earned less, and enterprise was checked. Both capital and labour suffered greatly, by this one man policy, and tho dire results reflected themselves all over the country. The army of unemployed was reinforced from the ranks of the sawmillers, while those in employment had their wages touched and their earning power reduced. Yet, strange to sav. over and over again as the Dominion was drifting financially, the Prime Minister was pleading for more and more production', yet he countenanced a policy whereby ono aid to that essential production was lost! It was inevitable that the Government should realise the effect of the policy, and to retrieve the tiosition to some extent, they began to grant licenses to export. But the- harm had been done. Tho loss of supplies from New Zealand, caused Australia to look elsewhere for a commodity to meet requirements, and it was not long before those supplies were forthcoming from America. There was a dire consequence in this, in that the United States was encouraged to go further afield, and by organising a suitable fleet of ships, has been able to serve all distant parts of the Pacific Ocean with foreign timber which ha.s been a rival even in our own territory to the local product, and lias bad a maimed effect on production and of course to employment. The great, harm done the timber industry of New Zealand has therefore been far-reach-ing. The experience shows how fatal lias been the on!icy o! the Government. What has been done now after ten years seems at best a realisation of the failure of the policy. The timber trade is not going to recuperate all at nine. The former patient and expensive methods of building up an ovoiseas trade will be attempted doubtless, but to recover the former position will lake a long time. There is nothing to the credit of the Government in the way the matter has been handled. Tt is another sad instance oi Government interfereiU'C in business, and tliat lias been counter-acted only by a realisation of tho situation resulting from the operations of supply and demand. Those are forces which no nmii-madc , laws can counteract, and once again at very great cost to the country, amt individually to thousands of workers and hundreds oi mill owners, the lesson ha.s been driven home by the sheer force of circumstances.