TIMBER ROYALTIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 61

TIMBER ROYALTIES.

MEETING OF PROTEST GREYMOUTH. DEPUTATION TO GO TO WELLINGTON. GREYMOUTH, December 20. A meeting of representatives of four West Coast County Councils and West Coast M.P.’s to-day considered the Government’s attitude relative to royalties from timber cut on State Forest Reservations, also its refusal to appoint a commission to inquire regarding timlier royalties claimed to !»e due to local bodies. It was resolved to recommend the respective county councils to send a deputation to Wellington during the approaching session to urge the Government to act in accordance with section 40 of the Finance Act, 1921-22, and set up a Royal Commission to inquire and report upon the extent to which local authorities have incurred loss of revenue from royalties consequent on the passing of the Forests Act and to decide upon the provision which should consequently (in terms of the Act) he made from the revenues of the State forest service or otherwise; also that the deputation bring before Mr Massey the promises made in 1913 and subsequently with respect to past revenue, particularly in regard to treating certain rents and goldfields revenue, and that a request be made for an inquiry to show the amount of revenif, to involved, and payable to local bodiis; and that in respect to payments made on account, the local bodies _ be supplied with statements, and be satisfied that equitable payment has been made.