THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17844, 27 July 1921, Page 6

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

OUTLOOK NOT BRIGHT. CONCERN ON WEST COAST. , [BY TEIiBGBAPH. —OWN OOEBESPOJJDENT.] ' CHKISTCHURCH, Tuesday. The Greymouth Chamber of Commerce discussed the outlook for the timber in- j . dustry to-day. 1 Mr. J. D. Lynch, president, said the position was critical, particularly in the ' rimu trade. A number of mills had closed and the prospects were not good. The ' white pine mills were on full time, but that trade was menaced by the increased duty on New Zealand timbers in Australia. The duty on white pine was now 6s per 100 ft., practically putting secondclass white pine off the Australian markets and making it unprofitable to export. The Coast merchants at considerable expense had got the rimu timber trade established in Australia, yet through recent restrictions that market was now practically closed. The freight from Greymouth 1 to Australia now was 7s 6d to 8s per ' 100 ft., whereas it was believed Oregon , from Canada to Australia was carried for . 4s per 100 ft. Increased Harbour Board rates, heavier duties, and keen foreign competition made the outlook serious to the West Coast timber industry. It was agreed that a. telegram be sent to Sir Francis Bell, Acting-Prime Minis- ' ter, asking him to use his influence to ' induce the Australian Government to decrease the duties, also to seek the cooperation of other chambers of commerce, local bodies, and the Timber Workers' ' Union.