TIMBER WAR.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20090, 20 November 1930, Page 4

TIMBER WAR.

COMPETITION KEEN. CIRCULAR TO BUILDERS. "It has come to our notice," states j s. circular issued to builders by a big 1 firm of timber merchants in the City, "that timber is being offered at prieos j lens tban the Association lists. We in- j tend to meet such competition in like manner, rather than sacrifice your good patronage.'' Building contractors are asking whether the cancellation of all timber price-lists is at hand, and a period of open competition is about to commenee. It is known that the merchants have held numerous meetings lately, and that a movement exists to allow every member the right to churge what he likes. A prominent builder said yesterday that about 40 per cent, of the timber used in Christehurch, was the product of mills associated with the Sawmillers' Guild; the remainder came from those which had no such affiliation. The former supplied the merchants, and the latter usually the builders direct. The non-associated mills were not experiencing tho slacknojjp affecting tho others, the reason being that the priees charged for timber from the former included no porcentage levy for paying ' the working expenses of the Guild. After these were met, the balance of moneys so collected was periodically distributed to members, but there was a proposal not to disburse tho existing surplus, amounting to scverul thousands of pounds, and to retain it Ufi a fund for assisting sawmillers making losses in any price war which might eventuate. It had boen customary for some timber merchants to quote a contract price for all timber and joinery in a house, which enabled them to adhere to list prices for the former at the expense ul' the joinery. In other cases what should have been regarded as first-grade timber had been supplied as seconds. The keen competition reflected by there and other concessions had assumed a more intense form during the depression, and the profits of builders 011 contracts, ami of hardware merchants had aldo boen cut to a very fine point through the prevailing conditions of trade. BUILDERS' STATUS. ; MOVEMENT FOR I REGISTRATION. i BILL DRAFTED IN N'tiW SOUTH WALES. support is bump; given to the movement for tlie registration of builders in New f-iouth Wales. A IJill has boon drafted for yuhmisfticn to Parliament for the passing "f the measure as outlined by builders. Mr F. K. Martin, secretary of the Canterbury and JJankstown branch of the Master liuilders' Association, recently wrote to tho other branches a letter, urging the importance of the} matter to home bmkters. Air Mar tin, Ixl lus letter, suvh; "The registration of builders and its effect 111 so far as the homo builder is concerned is a matter that greatly concerns not only tho builders, but also thos# nr.., purchasing their homes. Men or vorncui can start as contractors iru spectivQ of their experience ill building, and with a very nominal amount ■jf capital at their disposal. The plumber, drainer, electrician, and many others iiav© to Ixa registered or obtain n license to enable them to opeiaa: ns such. The builders have for many years past been fighting for registration, and now that wo aro trying to place our country 011 a sound footing, it is a nsost opportune time to give this matter «very consideration. There are rnanv reasons .why this profession should be properly controlled. It would bt> beneficial to home purchasers, financial institutions, mortgagees, merchants, and the legitimate practical builder. A registered builder should he a fully qualified tradesman, cnpaiile of supervising the erection of buildings of every description. Ho should he financial to an amount decided by the Board, or controlling Ixxly, and be subject to a cancellation of his license for any breach or offence iji connexion with It's profession. From the merchants' point of view they would be doing business | with persons who would no doubt possess a. reputation for honourable [ ness, and t» high standard of workmanship. It is quite possible that many persons have been encouraged i into the building profession through the readiness of financiers to accept their sepuvjtien- and I ctm qu«te instances which have proved unsatisfactory to merchants in particular. It builders were registered spch persona would not ha permitted to operate, and the legitimate builder would t!»us he enabled to tender for .work and

submit price:! to enable fill merchants to receive payment for their goods, and the architects and owners to secure their rights."