THE TIMBER QUESTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19786, 9 March 1927, Page 11

THE TIMBER QUESTION

EXPORT MARKET KILLED FORESTRY DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. [ Per Press Association. ] HOKITIKA, March 8. At a representative meeting of citizens last evening a branch o I'the New Zealand Timber Industry Advancement League (incorporated) was formed, Mr G. A. Perry presided. It was resolved to telegraph to the Prime Minister asking for a high protective tariff on foreign timber, also pointing out that the lack of employment among timber workers was seriously felt, reflecting also seriously on local trade. Ono speaker remarked that the restrictive regulations prohibiting export to Australia had killed the overseas market, which the millers had built up at great cost. While prohibiting export, the Government had built up an extensive department which was trying to grow timber which would never be of the value of the local timber here to-day, which was being ruthlessly destroyed because the Government restrictions had killed the export trade. This position was realised by the meeting, and it was stated that the attitude of the Forestry Department was to force up the royalties, without helping the miller, and aggravating the offence by still allowing foreign timbers to come in to the exclusion and waste of a large proportion of New Zealand forest.