DRESSED TIMBER

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 72, 28 March 1929, Page 14

DRESSED TIMBER

EFFECT OF IMPORTATIONS

MOVE FOR PROHIBITION

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evenina Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Arguing that the importation of _ sawn timber and joinery work are having a detrimental effect on the timber industry and the labour market generally, the Timber Workers' Union is making a move to unite the employers and employees in an effort to bring about the prohibition of sawn and dressed timber. It is stated by. the union that the importations have been the means of thousands of workers. losing their employment. "Unless immediate steps are taken by all the parties concerned to bring under notice the serious state of the industry and the urgent . necessity of seeking a remedy: further loss of capital and unemployment must eventuate," said Mr. E. J. Phelan. "To remedy the position, I suggest that the importation of sashes and doors, etc., and sawn or dressed timber be prohibited for at least two years. As an alternative, only timber over the size ,of 12 by 3 or its equivalent should be admitted into the country."

A resolution couched in the terms of Mr. Phelan's suggestion was carried, and branches of the Timber Workers' Union and the Sawmillers' Association have been circularised asking them to meet in conference to discuss their problems and join in placing their views on the importation of sawn limber before the Government.

Mr. Phelan said much of the sawn timber was coming to New Zealand in order to make up cargoes for vessels trading to the country. For the year ended December last, 64,000,000 feet of this class of timber was imported, or, in order' words, one-fifth of the Dominion's total output of timber. Of this quantity, lathes, palings, posts, etc., which could quite easily be manufactured in New Zealand, comprised 6,000,000 feet of timber.