OUR TIMBER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9021, 6 April 1888, Page 3

OUR TIMBER.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —A late issue of your paper contains some particulars of the proposed purchase of our mills and kauri forests, and expresses a belief that it will be beneficial. Many people think otherwise, Home news brings information of " corners " in copper, wheat, etc., formed for the purpose of great financial profits. Very few, if any, are profitable to any persons outside of the " corner," or syndicate, or whatever name they give themselves. That the timber exported by us for the last few years has been sold at a loss is well known, but this has arisen from several causes. The principal one has been cheap freight. The glut of timber from Oregon has now been stopped, and this has given our timber a chance- Of course, we don't want all the timber trade of Australia to make our mills prosperous. This the " corner " no doubt are well aware of, hence their anxiety to buy our mills and bush. But will the timber, shipped no doubt in log and flitch, give our people employment ? The ships returning for cargo will bring produce and merchandise, and all banking accounts will be in the neighbouring colonies. This will no doubt be disastrous in the future. It appears to me we are giving a monopoly of our raw material when au the world are seeing the benefit of protection to keep their increasing population from starving.—l am, etc. March 28,1888. Duke Humphrey.