TIMBER GROWERS' NEEDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20625, 25 July 1930, Page 12

TIMBER GROWERS' NEEDS.

UNEMPLOYMENT TAXATION. REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] W ELLINGTON. Thursday. A deputation from the New Zealand Timber Growers' Association waited upon the Commissioner of State Forests, Hon. E. A. Ransom, to-day, with a request that they should be exempt from the proposed unemployment taxation. The Minister said he could not reply to the request, as it was a policy matter. The president of the association, Mr* W. Eraser, of Auckland, said the companies had a great deal in common with the State Forest Department nnd were doing a great deal to cope with the unemployment problem. During the past five years the companies had distributed about £1.250.000 in wages and had also purchased goods in the Dominion of the value of £IOO.OOO. They did not come to the Government for assistance, but in view of the possibilities of increased taxation on companies, the afforestation companies made a plea for exemption from unemployment taxation. They also considered that the Government should subsidise local bodies which were prepared to place unemployed labour on tree-plant-ing.

Dr. W H. llorton said the companies could not complain of the treatment they had received in the past, hut lie thought that 111 view of the present position there might he a temptation for the Government to place extra taxation on afforestation lands or on Ihe companies. The Minister said he realised that the work the. companies were doing was of great importance. The Government's afforestation work was extensive and it was already subsidising local bodies in their work also, lie could not i:ive a reply to the request for exemption from taxation, as it was a policy matter, but ho would say that in tho Budget the, companies had not been singled out in that direction. The question of rating was one for the local bodies concerned. The Government only valued land

OFFICERS OF ASSOCIATION. HEADQUARTERS IN AUCKLAND. [BY TKLEGItAI'H. — VKESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The election of officers of the New Zealand Timber Growers' Association resulted:— President, Mr. W. Kraser: vicepresident s, Dr. W. U. llorton and Mr. K. Maxwell: executive, Messrs. W. MeArtbur, E. A. Craig. J. A. Duncan, M. S. Chambers. 11 A. Goudie. R. S. Longlon and 0. Jones; secretary, Mr. N. li. Gribble It. was decided that Auckland shall bo the headquarters of the association this year.