USE OF N.Z. TIMBER

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1930, Page 2

USE OF N.Z. TIMBER

PROTEST TO PRIME MINISTER. HAMILTON, March 20. The following letter has been sent to the Prime Minister : “At the annual meeting of the Sawnillers’ Timber Trading Co., Ltd., representing a majority of the sawmills n the North Island, at present being held, grave dissatisfaction, was expressed at the failure of the Government deportments, public institutions and -rivate individuals using Government oan money to carry out the definite instruction given by you to your Cabnet and the Department heads in March, 1929, that New Zealand timbers should be used in all works and buildings financed with public money. “The Government returns issued this month show a steady decline in the output from Dominion sawmills and a steadily increasing importation of foreign. The direct effect of importation is an increase of unemployment, pile serious loss in operating revenue by the Railways Department is due, in no small measure, to the displacement of New Zealand timbers, the freight loss being approximately 50/pcr thousand feet

“The meeting' strongly urges you to enforce the instruction, and make compulsory the use of New Zealand timbers in Government works and buildings financed by Government loan moneys.” In a letter to the Minister of Public Works, it is to be pointed out that imported timber has. even been used for the erection of a dais and seating at Parliament Build'ngs for the reception of the Governor-General.