BEECH INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 1 May 1937, Page 7

BEECH INDUSTRY

ON VERGE OF RUIN RECENT LEGISLATION BLAMED SAWMILLERS COMPLAIN OF LOSS OF MARKETS [United Press Association] DUNEDIN, 29th April. A complaint that the beech industry in Otago and Southland was on the verge of ruin because of unforeseen reactions to recent Government legislation was made by Mr J. R. Wilson, representative of the beech industry on the Sawmillers’ Federation, during the visit of the Minister for Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone) to Tawanui to-day. Mr Wilson said that a considerable trade had been built up with England and Australia, but the higher costs caused by the 40-hour week and the restoration of the 1931 level of wages had killed the trade with England and seriously jeopardised the market in Australia for second-grade timber. He pleaded with the Government to give assistance so that sawmillers could continue to carry out contracts which were made before the rise in wages. If assistance were not forthcoming the industry would undoubtedly go on the down grade and perhaps face extinction. The Minister said that the internal trade in beech timber should be built up. It was with this object he said, that the Government had been trying to influence the Fruitgrowers’ Federation to place orders for at least 100,00 cases with mills in Otago and Southland. He referred to the probability of a greater amount of timber being used in the Government housing policy, for which £3,500,000 had been provided. He assured sawmilers that the Government would do everything it could to assist every industry in the Dominion, including the beech industry. There was no single problem in New Zealand. Every industry must fit in to bring about a system of order, but that could not be done in a moment.

“Cri;. eise us if you like, but do not judge us too hurriedly. Give us time and we will be able to iron out the difficulties in all industries,” he concluded.