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Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1931, Page 4

In the House during the debate the other evening on tlxe add.ess-in-reply, Mr J. A. Nash, Member of Palmerston North, spent sv-me time in dealing with the question ol providing remed.es for unemployment. In the course of bis remarks lie referred specially to the making of butter boxes, cheese crates, and other cases from New Zealand timbers. He advocated the exclusion of tile foreign article from Sweden which now came in. in such quantities. He went on to- quote figures as to the large amount ot native timber which could be consumed, and the employment additional which could be created.. According to figures compiled from a reliable source, he maintained that some 2300 workmen could be employed permanently for a year, in the manufacture of New Zealand boxes and creates, equal to the quantity imported into the Dominion in a year. As this country pursues a definitely protective policy it Would not be going out of ito way to impose a tariff on the imported article and cause its exclusion to the benefit of the New Zealand) worker. Mr. Nash mewtiobed the desire in Australia to secure white, pine from, this country, and thought the Dominion farmers should lie equally boon to procure a timber of such established value as white pine for expoj't boxes. It would he well were Mr“Xnsh’s remarks followed up by the timber producing centres of New Zealand, and joint action taken to urge the Government to adopt a policy which would encourage the greater use of colon al timbers for the purpose indicated. Support could aiso.be given by the organised workers connected with sawmilling. arcl the united effort might beai fruit and so assist to hel"> the country with an enhanced industrial avenue.