MINISTER OF REHABILITATION

Putaruru Press, Volume XX, Issue 1183, 23 May 1946, Page 2

MINISTER OF REHABILITATION

VISIT TO TIRAU Problem Of Timber Traffic At the invitation of the Matamata County Council, the Hon. C. F. Skinner, Minister of Forests, visited Tirau on Thursday with a view to seeing on the spot the position the Matamata County Council was placed in at? a result of the heavy exotic timber traffic which was using certain county roads in the Tokoroa riding. The Minister, who was accompanied by several under-secretaries, wai? taken over the roads in question and also shown the native block at the end of the Tokoroa road, which block is to be milled very shortly. It was stated that the hulk of this native timber would he taken out via Mamaku and that only about 3,000,000 feet on the .southern slopes would come out vaa Tokoroa.

Late in the afternoon the party again met in the council chambers where Mr. E. D. White thanked the Minister for making the trip. The problem of exotic timber, he said, was a new one and not covered by any legislation. Catering for the traffic was beyond the resources of the council and was of national importance. It was stated that whereas rate,? on farm land average Is 2d per acre, on exotic timber lands idle rate was only 3d per acre. Replying, the Minister stated that one remedy was to change the system of rating. It wa? his opinion that the council’s request for a levy was not a sound one, as it was not advisable to place a tax on production. However, there was a problem and the county should get relief. (He would discua? the matter with the Minister of Public Works and (see if some equitable method of assistance could ibe arrived at which would be applicable to the whole of New Zealand where the same set of circumotances' arose.

Mr. Fitzgerald mentioned the matter of the new Karapiro Lake and suggested the Horahcra site might bo used as a centre for partially dish abled servicemen where they could bo employed to their advantage in useful work in the open air. Mr. Skinner remarked that it was a totally new suggestion to him, and that he would be pleased to look into the proposal.