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Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1929, Page 4

It is regrettable that at this period of the year a palpable slump in the timber trade should be nearing its head. The stoppage of the large mill at Ross, together with the closing down of a mill at Koiterangi, and the disorganisation of some of the mills at Kokatalii, with reports of other large mills in the district finding it difficult to carry on, suggest that, the situation and general outlook for the immediate future is far from promising. The millers are now associated and it was uoped that by achieving that degree of unanimity general trade would be better. It appears, however, that prior to reaching an understanding as to prices, timber traders in the centres were able to stock up at bedrock prices, and the building trade being slack at this period of tile year, yards are well-filled and orders scarce. The fact that there are now so many mills on the Coast to cope with the New Zealand demand is of course a factor leading up to the present position. The action of the Massey Government in shutting down on export to the Australian market was the primary cause of the existing situation. That market had it been 'maintained would have supplied an outlet for much of the timber which could be produced just now, and labour and industry generally would be reaping a harvest which is now lost, and probably with the incoming overseas timbers, will never be recovered. It was a deplorable stroke of policy on the part of the late Government, and unfortunately the results are exactly as were predicted, and of which the State Forest Service was warned. The State having thus jeopardised a great industry, there is now an obligation on tho' State to endeavour to retrieve the present position as far as possible within its power. The import of timber from outside places, whether within the Empire or not, should be revised with a view to safeguarding local industry which is a great employer of labour. If the Government fails to do so the ranks of the unemployed will be increased, and the country will have to spend money in other directions to keep the men employed. Where, however, employment can be found through legitimate

trading it is the duty of the country to help in that direction, and the moment is very opportune for action now in that direction by safeguarding the timber industry.