THE DUTY ON TIMBER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9142, 18 July 1908, Page 5

THE DUTY ON TIMBER.

DISCUSSION AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, yesterday, Mr Hj Donald moved the following motion:— "That the Hon. the Minister for Customs be written to and urged not to make any incTeascj in the import duty on foreign timber, as it is considered—(l) That 2s per 100 ft is quite sufficient to protect the indusstry; (2) that an increase in duty would" impose a hardship on the majority of the-population of New Zealand, conferring a benefit on a few millers and mill hands only; (3) that if any further assistance be given millers it should be in the way of cheaper railway freight." Mr Donald said the motion practically explained itself. Any increase in the duty on foreign timber meant necessarily high cost of building, and therefore higher rents, which affected practically the whole of the community. Mr Donald said that while there was nothing definite yet proposed in thj way of increased tarilf. therj was an agitation in progress among sawmillers and others con cerned in the timber industry to bring about a rise in the duty. Mr J. D. Cruickshank agreed with the motion, which he seconded, stating that the price of timber was blocking improvements in all directions.

Mr J. C. Ewington was opposed to the motion, and said that he noticed a meeting in the south had been in favour of a raising of the import duty on Baltic pine, which was being used to the detriment of the local article. In spite of the hich price of timber, the speaker could mention three names of sawmillers in this district who had practidally "gone under" through the business being unprofitable. If the Goveri - ment intended to allow foreign timber to come in, even at the present duty, it would affect the chief source of timber revenue to be opened by the completion of the Main Trunk Line. The market would simply be closed to our* own timber which would not pay to mill owing to the coat of production. Mr J. B. Moodie asked why should the general public suffer through the high cost of production? The opening up of the Main Trunk Line must mean a reduction. He wanted to know whether the public should continue to suffer proportionately if the cost of production increased still more in time—say to double the present cost. Mr Ewington replied that that was going to extremes. He was taking things as they were at present. The Chairman (Mr G. C. Sum • merell) said the position seemed to hinge on the recurring trouble of labour, and that trades-unionism was apparently at the bottom of it. Mr Cruickshank coincided with this remark, saying the consumers were suffering everywhere. The Chairman pointed out, aid it was agreed with by members, that even if the duty were incr<ased, local timber would increase in price. The motion was crried on the voices, Mr Ewington dissenting.