TIMBER DUTIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 253, 23 October 1909, Page 5

TIMBER DUTIES.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A deputation representing the sawmilling industry waited upon the Premier to-day to point out an anomaly in the report of the Timber Commission regarding the proposed alteration in the customs only on Oregon timber. The spokesmen were Messrs Bennett (Rangitikei), Valder (South Auckland), and Gamman (Main Trunk line). The point urged was that, while in general sawmillers approved of the recommendations of the Commission, yet the result of the recommendations with regard to duties on Oregon, if given effect to. would be that sawrnillers, instead of securing further protection, would be in a worse position than under present conditions. The Commission had recommended an increase to 3/ duty on small sizes, and that bulk sizes be admitted duty free. Should this be done, all Oregon would be imported in bulk, and cut into ordinary building lengths on arrival. The Hon. Guinness and Mr Field, M.P., urged that safeguards should be placed against the evasion of duty. The Premier said that Cabinet had not yet arrived at any decision on the Commission's report. The Government would carefully consider the important recommendations made therein, and the deputation could depend on it that the decision would not be one that would prove injurious to the timber industry. The deputation subsequently waited on the Minister for Customs, and received a. similar reply.