WAIPOUA FOREST AND PROPOSED STATE MILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 178, 28 July 1913, Page 7

WAIPOUA FOREST AND PROPOSED STATE MILL.

■To the Editor.! Sir, —In the "Star" dated 21st July, appears an article under the heading of "State Sawmill." Several insinuations are made therein rega-rdinar the iite, sh-ouM such a mill be established. In the firet place, -the writer of that article seems to take for granted that the timber from "the Waipoua Forest must, go out 'through the Northern Wairoa, and the only question to decide is whether the timber ehouk! be milled at Kaiha or Dargaville. Mr Phelan, eecretary Timber Workers' Union, ako iakes np a similar attitude. Aβ the Waipoua forest is ii the Hokianga eoun-ty. and is more accessible in Hokia-nga watere, it ie to be ioped the present Government will I not lend tbemsel-ws to any polHical in--1 fiitences, by diverting Hokianga's righte to another oounh".

Mr Phelan. in support of bis contentions that the ftate mill should be at Dargaville, states (1) That the timber workers already have their homes in that district: (21 that there would not be much "waste, btcause there would be a market for by-ptodncts that could not be utilised in the >ush; (3) that Dargaville is accessible t> shipping of considerable tonnage: (4) that the transit of logs would not be nor? than 20 miles. Now, I claim that Hokianga has equally the same rights as contended by Mr Phelan. excepting i hi distance of the forest from Hokianga Harbour, which is only ten milea at most, igainst Mr Phelan's ■■suggested distance <n transit of 20 miles to Dargaville, Whether the Government decide to mill the timier in. the forest, or convey the logs to water-way. in all sense of justice. Hokianga must be considered in a matter that is practically this ccarntrr's birthright.

Again. I state, when the Government come to serionsly consider the question, I hope they will not be influenced by any undue agitations?. I alfto note that tbe representative for the Kaipar? electorate is very energetic in endeavouring to further hi« constituents'apparent "try

on." I only hope the Bay of Islands representative will not lose any opportunities in using the same endeavours in protecting his conßtlt-uenis-' rights.—l am. etc.. FRED ANDREWES. nokianga. 23rd July. 19]^.