WEST COAST STAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22199, 9 December 1946, Page 9

WEST COAST STAND

TIMBER EXPORTS DIRECT SHIPMENTS r BAN ON LYTTELTON (P.A.) , GREYMOUTH, Dec. 7. An indication that West Coast interests are prepared to take drastic action to restore to the port of Greymouth its pre-war timber trade with Australia and to resist further attempts to ship West Coast timber through the port of Lyttelton was given at a representative meeting of local bodies, business organisations and industrial unions at Greymouth. Resolutions were passed protesting against the practice of making Australian timber shipments from Lyttelton and expressing the determination of the organisations represented to ensure that all West Coast timber which was to be sea borne shall be loaded, as in the past, at the most convenient West Coast ports. It was also decided to request the Prime Minister. Mr. P. Fraser, to give an immediate assurance on the matter and that failing such an assurance he should receive a deputation.

Several speakers urged immediate direct action to prevent further shipments through Lyttelton, and in this regard it was decided to urge the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association to adopt a recommendation made this week bv its export committee to the effect that no further supplies of West Coast timber for Australia will be made available after the loading of the barge Wombat at Lvttelton unless the timber is loaded at the port of Greymputh. An assurance of support for the sawmillers. if the recommendations is adopted, was given by the meeting.