16 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



contacts, the continuation and permanency of which are so vital to stability 

 of trade. 



The reduced cutting operations and the general stagnation in the lumber 

 industry are obviously reflected in the revenue figures for the last five years, 

 which are as follows: — (See Appendix No. 4 of Minister's report for each of 

 the years mentioned/: 



1929 $4,326,344.99 



1930 2,685,527.66 



1931 3,041,127.42 



1932 2,105,507 . 85 



1933 1,309,584.23 



These figures include returns from the sale of timber, comprising Bonus 

 and Dues, Ground Rent, Fire Protection Charges, Transfer and Mill License 

 Fees. 



It will be seen that from these sources the revenue the past year is just 

 thirty per cent of what it was four years ago at the end of the fiscal year, 1929, 

 about the time the financial debacle struck the world. 



Certain concessions of a minor character as an assistance to the industry 

 were granted to operators. For instance, during the season of 1930-31 they 

 were permitted to spread their payments to the Crown over a period of one 

 year, under an installment plan, without the usual interest charge of six per 

 cent. 



The following year a reduction of sixty per cent of the Crown dues was 

 made applicable to all timber taken out in the log and scaled on a board measure 

 basis and used for the manufacture of lumber or ties, while during the past 

 year, ending 31st October, 1933, Crown dues to the extent of one hundred 

 per cent were abated, the abatements in each case to be subject to certain 

 reasonable requirements being met. 



For the coming operating season for those who undertake logging opera- 

 tions there is applicable a reduction of eighty per cent of the Crown dues, 

 where a bonus obtains, and fifty per cent where only simple dues are payable. 

 In addition to this concession, pulpwood operators for Spruce are eligible 

 for a reduction of forty cents a cord. 



In pursuance of a policy of co-operation with operators, a meeting was 

 called of the Timber Licensees and those directly interested in the Forest 

 Products Industry, in September of this year when consideration was given 

 in a general way to the condition of the industry and in a particular way to 

 the lumber branch thereof. Prior to the conference, a questionnaire was 

 submitted to the trade with a view to getting a survey of their possibilities 

 and whatever contribution they might make towards suggestions of improve- 

 ment in the business and a revival of the various incidental trades. The 

 meeting was held in the Parliament Buildings on September 7th, under the 

 chairmanship of the Minister of Lands and Forests and continued all day. 



Restriction of operations to eliminate overproduction during a depressed 

 state, providing markets, a revision of contract bonus prices that are econo- 

 mically impossible and a reasonable reduction in Crown dues, were some of 

 the major matters treated, while pine operators expressed the view that a 



