TIMBER TROUBLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 7 May 1926, Page 7

TIMBER TROUBLE.

MILLERS WANT AN ASSOCIATION

WORRYING PERIOD COMING

THE MtANGAPEEHI INCIDENT.

(BY TELEGRAPH.-t-PRESS ASSOCIATION.) HAMILTON, May G. During a statement relative to the position of the timber industry in New ■Zealand at the present time, Mr. J. Bush, chairman of the Main Trunk Timber Trade Protection Guild, speaking at a reception accorded! by sawmillers to Mr. H. Valder, of Hamilton, said that he had always held that the sawmillers in order to do any good should be an association. They were undoubtedly approaching a- troublesome period. Not only did the conditions in the industry in New Zealand point to that, but the financial position of the country also indicated it, while the importations' of foreign timber we re having a serious effect on the market. During the past six months- the industry had been faced with over importations, increased railwav freights, and a glutted market. This was a very grave position for the industry. He recognised the seriousness of the situation and would do his best to hold things together. From inquiries made at the head office of Messrs Ellis and Burnand, relative- to the trouble with native owners at Mangapeelii, lie learned that the position was not so serious as the previous report in regard to the trouble at the firm’s sawmill there indicated. The- company’s representative here stated what the trouble there was. It was confined to a very small -section of the native owners and was brought about by outside influences. Officials of the company have visited Mangapeelii and notified the disgruntled members of the tribe that any remedy of their supposed grievance- must be -sought •through the proper constitutional channel, namely, the Native Land Court, which is sitting at Te Ivuiti on Friday, fife an-, time the sawmill at Mangapeelii is working as usual.