THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19417, 27 August 1926, Page 14

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

EFFECT OF IMPORTATIONS. MORE (PROTECTION WANTED. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. [BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Industries and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives brought down its report to-day on the petition asking for greater protection for the timber industry. Tho report stated : "Tho committee, while not having sufficient evidence before ,it to justify recommending additional duties being placed upon imported timbers which are at present dutiable, is of opinion that timbers other than hardwoods which now coiue in free should be charged a duty at least ou the same level as Douglas fir. The committee also recommends that with a view to protecting the consumer any increases in prices above those charged by the millers in November, 1925, be set off by an equivalent reduction in the tariff. Finally, in the opinion of tho committee* the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration." Mr. W. S. Glenn (Rangitikei) said there were some ten thousand people interested in New Zealand's timber industry and that wns the reason why the Government should do something practical in tho matter. It Was well known that the bulk of imported timber was produced by black labour and he wanted to know if-the Government was going to stand by that. The Minister of Customs had given them a promise that he would look into the matter, but he wanted action in tho interests of New Zealand's timber workers. The Chief Competitor. Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) said the chief competitor with New Zealand timber was Oregon, and the report of the committeo did not touch Oregon.' The report was good so far aa it went, but it did not go far enough. To meet the competition of cheap foreign labour what was wanted was a duty against American timber, which would be next door to prohibitory. America put ou duties against all our products. Why then should we consider America ? Mr. H. L. Tapley (Dunedin North): What then would be the cost of building? Sir Joseph Ward: IE building houses means putting hundreds of men out of employment, the sooner we stop building in wood the better. The Hon. A. D. McLeod said the Government would have proposals regarding timber this session. Ho desired to point out that there were many exaggerated statements made in connection with the timber industry. As a matter of fact less than 10 per cent, of the country's timber necessities were imported, and if the timber industry was in as desperate a condition as was stated there must be other importation?. "A Close Corporation." It was well known that of recent, years the Millers' Federation was the best- j organised and best-handled close corpora- i tion in New Zealand, and it carefully! guarded its prices, which were the same at all mills. The fact was there was over production of timber, but still the prices of our best timbers were exceedingly high. Some steps must be taken to get rid of the surplus timber supplies} It must be admitted, however, that the importation of timber had not in any material way affected the position. The difficulty of the industry had no doubt been brought about by a reduction of building, due to some extent to reduced advances. Ho favoured a thorough investigation into the whole of the circumstances surrounding the timber industry. Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rotorua) said an exhaustive inquiry should bo made into the whole position. Mr. j. McCombs (Lyttelton) said what wa3 first wanted was a thorough inquiry into the whole industry. Assurance From Millers. Mr. R. W. Smith (Waimarino) said that when an assurance was given that the price of timber would not be increased in New Zealand the House'should have no hesitation in adopting the report of the committee. The great natural advantages of American timber enabled that timber to be produced so much more cheaply than New Zealand timber and yet American timber was admitted to this country duty free. That was the kind at competition our workers had to face. There was <v popular cry, within the Empire." He agreed with that, but what was wrong "with trading within New Zealand ? Spesking on behalf of the sawmillers he again gave an assurance that no increase in the price of New Zealand build.irig timber would take place if tho committee's report were given effect to by the Government. Mr. P. Eraser (Wellington Central) said the House could not afford to see an important industry perish for want of such assistance as the report suggested. The report at least was worth earnest consideration, as well as additional facts, because he did not believe all the facts had been placed before the committee. The report was laid on the table. PUTTING ON THE CLOCK, MR. SIDEY'S INTENTIONS. ANOTHER TRY NEXT YEAR. 1 [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The persistent promoter of the Summer Time Bill, Mr. T. K. Sidey, is not depressed over the bill's defeat in the Legislative Council yesterday by the Speaker's casting vote. "It is a great triumph to have secured such a splendid vote in both Houses," he said, after the result was made known. "It should be remembered that of the five Legislative Councillors not accounted for at the division, at least four are supporters of the bill. There is undoubtedly a large body of opinion in favour of daylight saving and I am sure that the public will not Le content until it has at leaist been given a trial." Mr. Sidey said he had twice succeeded in carrying tjie bill to the Council and he intimated his intention of reintroducing it into the House of Representatives next session. He hoped to live to take it once again to the Council and he trusted it would meet with complete success.