Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Monday 22 June 1903, page 2


THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

To the Editor of "The Mercury."

Sir,-The Imnlv Feed is loaded with

squared piles, being the seventh ship loaded by Messrs Gray Bros in all carrying about four million feet of this class of timber for Admiralty works in England and South Africa Messrs Gray have gone to considerable expense in obtaining these orders, necessitating two trips to England with the result of opening up a permanent trade with the two largest contracting firms in Great Britain, if it is not nipped in the bud by the drastic laws of our Crown Land Department in the preparation of those piles, about fifty bush men have been employed for nearly three years, and also large teams of cattle, haul-ing to the shipping place Such an industry I am "-sure deserves well of the State, and should be fairly treated by the Government We hear a great deal about fostering the timber industry, but what has been really done? in the preparation of the first cargo the license fee was ten shillings a month per man, for the four following cargoes the fee was lil, and the last two cargoes of 10s for everyone employed on the job, including teamsters so I should like to know what this fostering really means But I have an idea that when our new Ministry settles down, to work, they will take a broader view of this important industry, and introduce a more equitable measure, which will enable us to compere in foreign markets

Sir, do you know that a license fee of Jil IO ki equal to 6d. a hundred feet Why should it be so, when the royalty on other timber is 6d a thousand feet Perhaps it is to recoup the office of Crown lands bailiff, a gentleman we could very well do without, especially for this class of work, as he will tell you, and tell his Minister also that it tains the pick of our forest fun her to make those piles Such, however, is not so as regards the last cargo, as I Know a tract of country that has been called out for logs piles, and sleepers for the last thirty years, and yet over five hundred of the piles have been obtained This antiquated method of obtaining revenue by means of a license on bushmen is unjust, as the fee must be paid monthly in advance Then it often occurs through inclement weather and accidents that he cannot do more than a week's work before his license expires The same applies to the contractor He may take out licenses for a number of men, and they are unable to work for the same reason. Therefore, the royalty rates for all kinds of bush work is far preferable, as then all employed would pay on the result of their

labour.

-Yours,, etc., I

SQUARES.

June 15. ^^^^^^^^^