INSTRUCTION NOT OBEYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 66, 19 March 1930, Page 9

INSTRUCTION NOT OBEYED.

USE OF NEW ZEALAND TIMBER PROTEST TO PRIME MINISTER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. The following letter has been sent to the Prime Minister: — "At the annual meeting of the Sawmillers' Timber Trading Co., Ltd., representing a majority of the sawmills in the North Island, at present being held, grave dissatisfaction was expressed at the 'failure of the Government departments, public institutions and private individuals using Government loan money to carry out the definite instructions given by you to Cabinet and the Departmental heads in March, 1929, that New Zealand timbers should be used in all works and buildings financed with public money.

"The Government returns issued this month show a steady decline in the output from Dominion sawmills and a steadily increasing importation of foreign. The direct effect of importations is an increase of unemployed. The serious loss in operating revenue by the Railways Department is due, in no small measure, to the displacement of New Zealand timbers, the freight loss being approximately 50/ per thousand feet.

"The meeting strongly urges you to enforce the instruction, and make compulsory the use of New Zealand timbers in Government works and buildings financed by Government loan moneys."

In a letter to the Minister of Public Works, it is to be pointed out that imported timber has even been used for the erection of a dais and seating at Parliament Buildings for the reception of the Governor-General.