N E W S & V I E W S • A P R I L 2 0 2 4 13 and will easily turn a blind eye and commit theft, fraud, or other offences if it means putting some extra cash in the bank. NCT expects members to always act lawfully and with high ethical standards. We know this group makes up the majority of our members. A small minority may claim that they did not understand the Code or ignorance of the law and others may even say that they are not “afraid of the law” which is their way of saying they will do as they please. This group may very well disregard the rule of law and have low ethical standards without fear of consequence; but this must be well known- NCT will ensure that consequences follow. In contract law we have a maxim that states Caveat Subscriptor which loosely translates, beware the seller. It simply means that once you have signed something, you are bound by it, and cannot claim later that you did not know. A defense of “not knowing”, “not reading” or “not caring” will simply not suffice if a member is caught to be in breach of Code. NCT will not tolerate a blatant disregard of the Code and will suspend supplies found in breach for further investigation and disciplinary actions as required. The greater timber industry is likewise clamping down on unethical supply. As a collective we have a responsibility to keep all timber suppliers honest. If we fail to do this the chain will break! If the chain breaks, we may lose our markets (especially those who require FSC and PEFC timber) and we may then lose our Co-operative which has served members for 75 years. This article should not be read as a threat from NCT management to NCT members, but rather a stern warning from the majority of NCT’s members who respect the rules of the game to those NCT members in the minority who choose to ignore the rules and play by their own and place the collective at risk. I was asked to publish this under the Law section of this publication, but it is not so much a legal brief as it is a reminder to comply with NCT’s Code of Conduct. I do however have one piece of legal advice: Read (with comprehension) what you sign, apply the directives, and appreciate the consequences of your actions both for yourself and your fellow member.
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