TIMBER TRADE’S PLIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1031, 23 July 1930, Page 8

TIMBER TRADE’S PLIGHT

DROP IN OUTPUT ON WEST COAST MR. HOLLAND’S QUESTION THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The serious position of the timber industry in New’ Zealand wag brought under the notice of the Government this afternoon by the Leader of the Labour Party. Mr. H. E. Holland, is an urgent question to the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, who said that the subject of protecting the industry was receiving the consideration of the Government, and that it vs* hoped to give information shortly. With Mr. Holland in his question w«* associated Mr. G. C. Black (United— Motueka) and Mr. J. O’Brien (Labour —Westland). Mr. Holland asked the Prime Minister whether he intended to introduce legislation this session to safeguard the timber industry of New Zealand against foreign importations, which were mainly carried in subsidised ships. “In the Buller district,” said Mr. Holland, “the industry is in a most critical position, and the indications are that there will be a drastic shortening of hands at all the mills. No timber has been shipped from Westport during the last six months, and no export orders are in hand. Karamea mills hold nearly one million teei of timber, with no prospect of sale: one mill has closed down and others must do the same if no market » available. “Sales from the Greymouth-Hokitutt district have declined from 54.128.82 r feet for the six months ended December 31 last to 27,055.419 feet forth*v» months ended June 30 last —a faDd* 21 per cent. Sixteen mills in this district are now* closed down, and aL the others are working only 40 P*r cent, of their capacity, discharging 4§* men, and restricting the balance four days a week.”