PROMISE AND PERFORMANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20521, 24 March 1930, Page 12

PROMISE AND PERFORMANCE.

Sir, —The editorial arlicle in Saturday's Herald entitled " New Zealand Goods " is very timely. You have referred to the appeals of Sir Charles Fergusson and our present Governor-General to the people to buy New Zealand goods, and it is the duty of all of us to actively respond to them. At the new year the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition made similar appeals. Recently Mr. Gammon's striking statement that the sawmilling industry was on the verge of a crisis received wide attention, and it was stated that the cause was largely due to the huge importations of overseas timber. In this connection Sir Joseph Ward announced some time ago that definite instructions had been issued to all Government departments that, wherever possible, New Zealand timber was to bo used in Government work. Last week in Wellington I noticed the staging and seating accommodation being erected at the main entrance to Parliament Buildings for the reception of, His Excellency the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe. Curiosity prompted me-1 to investigate what timber was being ?.ised. Was it New Zealand timber ? No, it was Oregon pine, and not old stockthat had been used before for some similar purpose, but new stuff with the short ends and sawdust still lying on the ground. There is a growing feeling among the people that the present Cabinet does not function, and that the .country is being run by the under-secretaries. How long is this going to be tolerated? The electors of Parnell will shortly "have an opportunity of expressing their opinion upon it. F. F. Hockly.