OREGON TIMBER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14277, 28 July 1908, Page 4

OREGON TIMBER.

The North-East Valley Council exercised a wise discretion at its last meeting when it. disregarded the subtle suggestion of the mayor of Greymoiitn that it should accord its support to the agitation in favour of the imposition of a prohibitive duty on Oregon timber, 'l'he agitation has been promoted by the \vest Coast Sawmillers' Association, and, .since the interests of all who are engaged in carrying on the sawmiuing industry would bo clearly served it the elfort- to shut out competition from whatever quarter were •successful, it is now being prosecuted by a large numbc-r of mill-owners from Different parts of tlm Dominion. Those who complain that tho importations of cheap Oregon pine constitute a serious menace to the timber industry of New Zealand make out, it is to be acknowledged, a plausible enough case. They allege that Oregon timber is produced uuder labour conditions which would not be tolerated here and that tiro freight upon it from Puget Sound to any of our ports is lower than the freight- from any of the mills in our dpyn country to tho distributing centres. They claim that in these circumstances the value to them of the present duty upon imported sawn timber is destroyed. It is necessary, however, that- these allegations should be verified before they are accepted, and the Prime .Minister is taking only a reasonable ■precaution in ' seeking information at first hand respecting the conditions' under which the Canadian lumbermen perform their work. But even if the statements of the sawmillers who are clamouring for increased protection have their face value given to them, it is possible to show that their demands do not rest upon at all so substantial a foundation as might at first sight be supposed The duty to which Oregon pino is subjected upon importation to New Zealand is equivalent to 33 per cent, upon the selling price of the local timber that is, it is alleged, being displaced by it. The Minister of Customs points out that this is a larger measure of protection than is enjoyed by any other industry in the Dominion, and we suspect that the inquiries lie has made on the subject must have raised a doubt in Ilia mind, Protectionist though he is, respecting tho practical wisdom of the maintenance of a high tariff affecting any article that is so largely required as timber. For even among the Protectionists there are those who recognise that if a duty of 33 per cent, is insufficient to enable an industry to compete with the foreign producer the desirability of preserving the duty at all is exceedingly questionable. But the erection of a high wall of Protection for the timber industry seems to have had an effect such as is commonly found in countries that adopt a policy of Protection: apparently a timber "ring" has been established, which lias raised the prices of building timbers appreciably, and has also—so it is asserted—applied the boycott to purchasers of supplies from millers who are not associated with it. Moreover, there is statistical proof that sawn and j heivn timber is being extensively exported. The actual value of the exporItatious in 1905 was fSJSjSOoj and ia

11KJ0 it was only slightly less—viz., fliO-I.WI I and in connection with this it- is interesting to note that Mr Barber, M.P., made a positive declaration in the course, of.the recent financial debate that New Zealand timber had been exported to Aus'tralia, purchased in -Melbourne, shipped back to New Zealand, mid sold here at a rate lower than that at which the sawmillers would themselves sell it. Apart altogether from, these considerations, the importation of Oregon pine would seem to meet jv distinct demand in this Dominion, because it- is evidently well adapted for various uses, and also because r is sold ill lengths i\> which, though they are regarded by tho trade as most suitable for its requirements, New Zealand timber is not obtainable. A broad view of- the question suggests that it would be a mistake to place implicit reliance on the allegations of the West Coast Sawinillors' Association, and we hope, therefore, that the other Borough Councils to which tho Mayor of Greymouth has addressed his representations will hesitate before they accede, to his request to them to express their approval of the movement in favour of increasing the timber duty.