THE PRICE OF TIMBER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 198, 19 August 1908, Page 8

THE PRICE OF TIMBER.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —During the month of June there was exported the following quantities of timber, and their corresponding values (all timber being unplaned): —Kauri, 3,----008,010 feet, value £21,487, working out at about 14/2 A per 100 feet; kauri (box timber), 124,880 feet, value £630, working out at about 10/1 per 100 feet; white pine, 2,174.175 feet, value £7422, working out at about 6/1 per 100 feet; white pino (box timber), 16,335 feet, value £74, working out at about 8/1 per 100 feet; •matai, 5323 feet, value £33. working out at about 11/4 per 100 feet; rimu, 127,----87(5 feet, value £459, working out at about 7/2 per 100 feet. During July, 1,099,590 feet, value £5909, was exported, working out at about 7/2 per 100 feet. I have not obtained particulars of what species of timber this lot was composed of it, but it is safe to assume it was not all white pine. The local price of timber is: Kauri 17/ and 20/; white pine, 11/; matai, 18/6; rimu, 15/6 and 20/. As the iniquitous rise in timber of the past 12 months is responsible for the sudden stoppage in house building and consequent loss of work to a large number of mechanics, I would like to ask, through the medium of the "Star," the Auckland timber combine or association •how it is that there is such a discrepancy •between local and export prices of timber. The quantities and export values are official.—l am, etc., ARCHITECT. (To the Editor.) Sir, —I consider it an act of injustice that so much of this timber is 'being exported regardless of the fact of its scarcity, and the knowledge of it being sold elsewhere, after cost of transhipment, is a bit of a clincher, to say the least. Even inferior local timber, such as rimu, matai, etc, has increased in price of late to almost a prohibitive stage. Now there comes a protest from some of the coastal millownors against the importation of Oregon, as it is throwing the local hanils out of "employment. I should like to ■know who has been responsible for the kauri being exported in bulk for some time past, thereby denying local hands the labour of cutting. Indeed, this seems to mc one more of the many instances of protection being abused and the fostering of monopoly. I should suggest as a remedy that the duty on Oregon Temain as it is, but increase the export duty on kauri, so that anyone desirous of building may not be compelled to pay the exorbitant prices demanded at present. Australia for Australians, and the kauri for the Maori. —I am, etc, A. CUMMINGS. Sentinel-road. August 17, I9OS.