TIMBER EXPORT

Northern Advocate, 23 October 1935, Page 6

TIMBER EXPORT

SHOULD BE PROHIBITED SERIOUS POSITION FACES DOMINION. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL VIEWS. [Per Press Association. — Copyright.l WELLINGTON, This Day, On the second reading debate on the Products’ Export Amendment Bill in the Legislative Council yesterday, Sir Francis Bell (Wellington) criticised the Government for allowing, the export of timber, pointing out that serious effects would follow the deundation of New Zealand’s timber supplies. His remax’ks did not apply to Southland beech, but to other timbers, rimu, totara-and white pine. Reviewing past history, 'Sir Francis said the National Government and Massey Government adopted a forest conservation policy. No limitation was placed on the cutting of timber, so long as mills cut for the people of New Zealand. The regulations were repealed in the' last days of the Coates’ Government and the repeal was a mistake. If the bill raised the standard of timber exported it would increase the demand, and he urged the Government to examine the position. , Restriction Favoured. Sir James Allen (Otago) pointed out that export was not prohibited at present, and the passing of the bill would not prohibit it. The measure provided that timber should be of one grade. . Sir Heaton Rhodes (Canterbury) said he was in sympathy with Sir Francis Bell. Millions of acres of timber had been destroyed, and if there was free export the amount left would be quickly used. The Hon. D. Buddo (Canterbury) favoured restriction of the export of building timber. The Hon. Eliot R. Davis (Auckland) said the bill really provided what Sir Francis Bell was asking for, as it would restrict exports. The Hon, T. Bloodworth (Auckland) also thought the bill would restrict export. He would like to see timber conserved. Pressure On Government?

The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Wellington) said the good work Sir Francis Bell and others had done had been modified to a great extent by the troubles of the slump. No doubt pressure had been brought to bear by millers on the Government to get export renewed.

The Leader of the Council, Hon, R. Masters, said that £2OOO was on this year’s estimates for conservation and rejuvenation of kauri forests. There was not the same necessity to stop the export of Southland beech as to stop the export of other timbers. The export of timber was not prohibited in New Zealand, but there was power under the bill to do so by regulation. It was possible the arguments put for-

1 d by the Council would carry a certain amount of weight with, the Government, in giving consideration as to whether prohibition should take place oh the exports of certain types of timbers. The bill was passed..