"ABSOLUTE CALAMITY."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 171, 21 July 1928, Page 21

"ABSOLUTE CALAMITY."

FACING TIMBER INDUSTRY. MACHINERY LYING IDLE. ASSISTANCE URGENTLY NEEDED. "I can endorse the remarks as to the depression that exists tnade at Hamilton and Taumarunui before the special committee set up by the Government to examine the position of the timber industry. Unless something is done, and done quickly, all the capital invested in the industry is likely to be lost. There is absolute calamity facing the timber industry unless immediate assistance is piven it." This statement was made by Mr. E. J. Phelan, secretary of the Auckland branch of the Timber Workers' Union, this morning, when discussing the proposals circulated by the committee to remove the industry from its parlous state. Mr. Phelau's attitude was due to the considerations that valuable machinery and tramways were lying idle, and consequently depreciating in value, and that the trade was stagnant. The timber industry—the second largest of the secondary industries *of the Dominion—was absolutely at a standstill, he said. The matter could quite easily be adjusted by revised tariffs on imported timber. He further explained that he had personally given

evidence along the lines placed before the special committee in August last. At that time universal by-laws were advocated, and provisions requiring builders to stipulate the grade of house they built .this to protect the purchaser and everyone concerned. Mr. Phelan added"that he expected the special committee to visit Auckland at any time now, although his union had not been notified of the proposed visit. "My organisation has not been consulted so far, but it certainly expects to be before any finality is reached." Move Welcomed. The undertaking by the Government to use only New Zealand timbers provided the mill-owners carry out the proposed new system of classification is a most welcome move to improve the present deplorable condition of the timber industry," said a representative of the Rotorua timber interests this morning. He added that as a result of the suggested change the industry should be put in a better position than "it had been for years. It was gratifying that the State had made a move at the present time. Seventy-five per cent of the timber used in New Zealand was directly or indirectly controlled by State Departments.