A CURIOUS FACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11692, 29 June 1901, Page 4

A CURIOUS FACT.

We have frequently cited instances ' to show how necessary it was to be cautious for the preservation of our industries in the face of the working of the labour laws. The latest instance is one of the most striking we have heard of. It is the fact that mantelpieces are now made in Australia of New Zealand wood, imported into Auckland and sold at a lower rate than the statutory wages which would be paid for making them here. The timber lias to pay freight on conveyance to Australia, freight has to be paid on the manufactured article, duty has to bo paid on imported woodwork 22i per cent., and yet the mantelpieces can be sold cheaper than t' ey can be made here. The coast i..ss irritation of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act and the annual increasing of lia-» bilities and responsibilities on the part, of employers--all these things have their effect. At .one time Auckland had almost a monopoly of this, kind of timber manufacture. It is rapidly passing away from us. Our natural advantages are being destroyed by legislation. The result may be the loss of our wood-work* . ing industry, so that T'e shall only have the 3vi;r> logs ;ell. jVight it be suggasted that a Royal Commission (composed of impartial men) should be established to examine into such facts and to ascertain the causes.?