THE TIMBER INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 10

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY

FOREIGN IMPORTATIONS DUMPING DUTY CONSIDERED UNNECESSARY That foreign timber was not being imported Into New Zealand under conditions warranting the imposition of a dumping duty was emphasised in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. J. G. Cobbe) when replying to a question by Mr. J. O’Brien (Westland). Mr. O’Brien had informed the House that the timber industry jiad been placed in a grave position through the dumping of timber in New Zealand oy foreign companies who were subsidised by their respective Governments: and he asked the Minister what steps he proposed to take to prevent local mills from closing down on account of the effect produced by those importations. “This is really a question for the Minister of Customs," replied the Hon. J. G. Cobbe. “According, however, to the Information in the possession of the Government there is at present no evidence that timber coming into New Zealand from the United States of America is being imported under conditions that would warrant the imposition of a dumping duty. No investigations have yet been made into the conditions under which timber will in future be imported from Canada, but the whole matter is being closely watched, and if it be found that timber is being Imported under conditions that warrant action by the Government, such action will be taken.”