Limits ‘would stop milling’

Press, 21 August 1976, Page 4

Limits ‘would stop milling’

Groups lobbying to restrict milling trees on the West Coast wanted to impose conditions that would stop the industry from continuing, the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association said in a statement this week. The association said that it was concerned that the attack from conservationists land environmentalists had I been directed at one particuilar company. But the effects and implications would be felt by almost every member of the industry. An association survey had revealed, it said, that the industry last year spent SBM on the West Coast on wages and other costs. The industry on the West Coast also employed 15 per

cent of the full-time n. work force, or almost lit men.

Other services directly affected by any change to sawmilling were the railways, county councils, power board, transport firms, road ing contractors, engineering workshops, garages, retailers, schools and other social services

The association said it considered that the sawmillers and the forest service had planned for continued sawmilling and a responsible use of resources for the benefil of the West Coast. “Most of the opposition stems from people resident outside the area, whose liveli hood is not affected by thei actions,” the statement said.