MILLING INDUSTRY

Grey River Argus, 29 August 1939, Page 8

MILLING INDUSTRY

Loss of Wages THROUGH IDLE DAY WEEKLY. “The sawmilling industry in Westland appears to be in for a bad time, unless something is done to alter the position existing at. present,” said Mr. F. L. Turley, Secretary of the Timber Workers’ Union, yesterday. ‘ Last week the workers lost approximately £l,OOO in wages, and this position will have to be maintained, unless something is done to provide for the use, in the South Island particularly, of more clean timbers. A cool thousand a week will be a serious loss to Greymouth and the Coast generally. J’he Housing Department and State 'Advances Department apparently want this timber kiln dried, but the cost of this is almost prohibitive to the millers at present, the plants being . very costly. Besides, there is the fact that it would take quite a long time to erect good plants, even if the millers had the money to do so. There is a lot of argument that can be used as to whether wholesale construction of such plants is warranted, as there is no direct proof that kiln dried timber will last longer than air dried. There is any amount of evidence that air-dried timber used in the South Island for house construction has lasted 60 years and over with proper care, and I clfflj not know many people who build houses to last over 60 years. The milling industry will certainly lose its workers if they are, compelled to go on a four-day week. Their wages would be brought down lower than workers on the No. 13 Scheme. However, the timber workers would be well-advised not, to change their jobs at the moment, but should wait till an opportunity is given the millers and the Union to meet members of the Cabinet with a view to placing matters on a more satisfactory basis. The parties concerned are trying to arrange such a deputation for Friday next, when the whole matter will be discussed. I feel quite certain that the millers, in the interest of the industry, are compelled to adopt the course they have adopted as the only alternative to the closing down of a number of mills. If the Government will take a common sense view of the whole business, and not allow one or two Department officers with a lot of book experience to run the whole business, then I think the position can be righted. The time has more than arrived when responsible Ministers should use their own considered opinion, and discount the ones of some Department officers who. do nothing but place obstacles in the way of those doing their best under some very foolish restrictions.”