CANADIAN CEDAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 247, 18 October 1926, Page 16

CANADIAN CEDAR.

! I I ..To the Editor.) I Sir,—Further to your article in] Thursday's issue, it is just, as well to ; put the country's side of the question: against those who wish to pu.-h the sale of tills timber to tiie detriment of our j own industry. The statement by one i Auckland builder that its chief virtue | was that it dried out quickly, is sure i proof of the spongy nature of the timber | and in that respect it cannot be compared I to our 0.8. lines, which for density of ' grain and utility, cannot be equalled, i We all know that <>.LJ. timbers properly I seasoned and handled have been used since the very earliest days in this ' country for weatherboards. Their life i is equal to the full extent of tiie utility period of any home, and the price is 30 per cent less than the heart lines. The statement that heart Hiatal and heart rirmi weatherboards are difficult to secure is all nonsense, as there are sufficient supplies, and all order- could be fulfilled if they were only pl.icrd. Then again, these two timbers in the heart. lines are hardwoods, and the very fact; that they take longer to season than imported American softwoods surely ■ proves their superior quality and durability. In reference t'> the borer attacking the cedar, this m.t tmly |.--n«> trates the sap-wood, but there is plenty of proof that it attacks the heart wo.id as well, so that there is no argument that it directs its efforts in one direction only. It is regrettable that instead of the forward movement which we hoped i would take place in utilisation of our forests by the establishment of the State Forest Service, that the timber ! industry should be in the precarious con- I dition that it finds itself to-day. It , only requires simple figuring to show ', that at the very least £:J00(J per week is lost in wages to our own people besides the great loss in railway revenue. 1 and instead of this money being kept in the country and circulating amongst i ourselves, it goes elen out of our hands to America. The State Forest , Service was going to teach us the j "Utilisation of our Forest Products" they have failed to educate the public in the utmost utilisation of our timbers, j which propaganda they should have carried on with the Government, the 1 public, and all local bodies—they have failed to stand behind the milling industry of this country, which was | first duty—but they have succeeded in j telling people to grow pinus inshignis «or the wonderful future.—l am. etc", TIMBER MERCHANT! j