MORATORIUM ACT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 27 March 1917, Page 4

MORATORIUM ACT.

111 ' v DESIRE TO HAVE IT EXTENDE DIFFICULTIES OF SA\OTLLEK A Dominion conference bf sawni lets, representing the industry frc the Main Trunk right down to Inv< cargill, has been sitting in Wellingt discussing the problems which at pj sent exist in regard to sawmillii - ■ *■ The principal matters discussed we in connection with labour conditio and difficulties and the condition the trade owing to the e gencies of tfiSßar. A strong des: was expressed nhat the principle the Mortgages Extension (M'orat ium) Act, which at present only t plies to mortgages, should be extei ed to cutting leases and the cutd rights of timber, because of the nil her of men taken away by enlistml and under the Military Service A Owing to the shortage of labour a high prices of all requisites (it v stated) the millers found it impo; bl e to harry on their business as ual and were compelled to employ c er men in place of the young and t orous men who were picked up in ballot or who had enlisted.JKEmp sis was laid on the fact that whole inndustry had been placed a great disadvantage, more particuk during ihe last year.

On Friday a deputation from conference, which was introduced Mr. R, W. Smith, Member for Wail rino, waited on the Hon. A. L. He man Attorney-General) with a v to getting an extension under

Moratorium Act of fue cutting b ness or the leases granted by Land Boards. The conditions brou about (it was pointed out) were to circumstances over which the r tary authorities had no contr.oL

The Minister, in replying, w r as q sympathetic with the deputation, said he realised that the sawmil were working under a very big di vantage. He realised that the posi was much more acute now than w

a deputation waited on him some years ago, but aU that tim e it. found that there were many difl ties in the Way of granting the quest made, this was due to the culiar nature ’of th e contracts. I

ever, he would consult the Crown ofiicers and see whatcound be don the matter.