THE TIMBER INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1930, Page 2

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY

TARIFF REVISION NECESSARY

WELLINGTON, February 20.

A strong plea for the utilisation of Dominion products, leading to a reduction of imports of foreign goods and a, consequent certainty of employment for a greater proportion of the population than is possible at present, was made by Mr C. H. Clinkard, M. P. for Rotorua, 'to-day. Air Clinkard made special reference to the timber industry. Since be was 16 years oi age he had been connected with it, first as a worker and then in connection with export of kauri to Australia and England. For 25 years lie had been closely associated with the industry. While his own constituency had probably tho largest number of timber employees of any in the .Dominion, the industry was in a very depressed condition, said Mr Clinkard. It was employing something like 4000 fewer men now than four years ago, and if nothing could be done to assist it the probability was that quite a large number of tbe mills would have to close down or reduce their staffs. ‘•The position is serious,” he added.

!, I take up the attitude that the industry of New Zealand must be protected against Ihe exploitation of overseas exporters. At the present time the importation of foreign timber is simply enormous. A very large proportion of these timbers could very we” be supplied by our own industry. My opinion is that the whole question of making our own products supply our own requirements, and if that were realised and acted upon by tin people oif New Zealand unemployment would cease to-morrow, and a larg' 1 number of people could be employed ir. various indust'ics and employee' profitably. I maintain that this is a

question of tariff revision, and that wo must educate public opinion to see what should be advocated.”