THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 173, 24 July 1930, Page 6

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

The Prime Minister states that an inquiry > into the timber industry is to be held this session. We presume that Mr. Forbes means an inquiry by a Parliamentary Committee, which in the circumstances would not leave Wellington. As such an inquiry would not cost much no great objection can be raised to it, but it is very doubtful whether the committee would be able to justify the expenditure of its own time, and certainly there would be no justification for an inquiry that sent a committee or commission travelling. The truth is there is a huge mass of easily accessible data relating to the timber .industry. For years past discussion on the subject has been frequent and free.- The Forestry Department alone should have collected enough material to enable the Government to form a policy. Three years ago the Tariff Commission made a fairly exhaustive investigation of the industry's position and prospects, and issued a lengthy report, at the end of which it recommended a moderate increase in the,tariffIt is well known that the industry is suffering from the operation of the law of; diminishing returns, not to mention other economic factors, and it is very doubtful whether any reasonable protection will substantially improve its health. The Government would not be justified in spending much money on further medical advice. Indeed, Mr. Forbes may be .warned to beware generally of commissions and committees, whioh, as he knows well enough, are %o often?.an excuse for avoidlß^responsibilitj^