SAWMILLERS’ DECISION

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 February 1947, Page 2

SAWMILLERS’ DECISION

PROGRESS LEAGUE DEFERS FURTHER ACTION MR. FRASER’S REPLY AWAITED The opinion that the only way real satisfaction would be obtained in the matter of ensuring that West Coast timber is shipped to Australia through Greymouth , would be by sending a deputation to the Government was voiced by the president of the Westland District Progress League (Mr. W. D. Taylor) at the league’s first council meeting for 1947, which was held at Hokitika last evening. After a brief discussion it was resolved to adopt following recommendation of the Forestry Committee on the subject:— “In view of the decision of West Coast sawmillers not to cut timber for shipment to Australian ports unless the loading of that timber is done at the port of Greymouth, which course of action had prior approval from a large and representative meeting held at Greymouth, on December 6, 1946, there is no necessity for any further recommendation until such time as the league received a specific reply from the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) to its letter of December 6, 1946.” Mr. P. Blank said that the decision of sawmillers not to export timber except over the Greymouth bar appeared a little short-sighted from the national viewpoint. Question of Ships.

Mr. J. M. Bunt: If the Minister can satisfy the sawmillers that ships can’t come to Greymouth, then the millers would be wrong in their attitude, but we know a dozen ships that can do the job. Mr. Taylor: There are 15 vessels now in commission that have carried timber to Australia previously. A copy of the decision of the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association that no further shipments of rimu would be sent to Australia via Lyttelton was forwarded by the secretary of the association (Mr. A. O. Wilkinson), who expressed the appreciation of his organisation at the league s support in the matter. The Commissioner of State Forests (Mr. Skinner) in a letter dated December 24, stated that circumstances had prevented the loading of timber for Australia at Greymouth, though he agreed that this would be a desirable step. He stated (inter alia) that fear of the cessation of hardwood deliveries, with consequent disruption of railways, post and telegraph systems, power reticulation and harbour maintenance had compelled the Government to take advantage of any available shipping space to increase softwood exports. “Would be 111-advised.’ The Timber Controller (Mr. A. B. Entrican) wrote stating that any action which would reduce the export oi timber to Australia would be ill-ad-vised. • , , • Members commented that their aim was, not to reduce exports, but to ensure that Greymouth was the port which handled them. The Forestry Committee s recommendation was approved without dissent.