WHITE PINE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20317, 17 August 1931, Page 12

WHITE PINE.

* BAN ON IMPORTATION. DAMAGE IN AUSTRALIA. (raojr ora ovrx cobbkspojtdekt.) SYDNEY, August 6. It is reported that a number of building experts have made representations to the Federal Government to prohibit the importation into Australia of white pine timber, which is described as a far greater menace to this country than even the wholesale importation of Russian timber. That may be an exaggeration, but it is insisted that the situation is serious because tho white pine is so liable to attacks of the borer. A prominent entomologist, Mr W. W. I'roggart, says that if the importation of the timber cannot be prevented all the States should pass an Act which would make its use iu constructional work illegal. It has been pointed out that New Zealand sends to Australia each yfear timber worth £2,000,000, and that 75 per cent, of it is white pine. It is asked, if New Zealand prohibits tho use of white pine for building purposes, why should tho Dominion be pormitted to dump surplus supplies in Australia. "Through public ignorance, official apathy, and the dishonesty of some builders," says one expert, "Sydney alone loses £2,000,000 a year in che damage to property arising from tho use of the dangerous New Zealand whito pine." Mr M. B. Welch, economic botanist at the Technological Museum, Sydney, said: "New Zealand white pine is imported into Australia in very large quantities, amounting 1o many millions of super feet per year. Locally it is used for building construction in flooring, lining and shelves, and also in the back of furniture. Unfortunately, this wood is very susceptible to attack from borers, so its use for these purposes cannot be too strougly condemned. The seriousness of the trouble is evident by the large numbers of inquiries that are made at the Museum froru people who have found portions of their flooring, for instance, honeycombed with borer tunnels; the wood on examination proving to be Now Zealand white pine. In the Dominion this wood is not recommended or used for any building purposes, and tho only reason for its use here is that it is landed in Australia at a much cheaper rate than any locally produced timber, in spite of duties and high freights. 1 ' In estimating the damage in Sydney through the use of white pine at £2,000,000 a year, a builder said that many architects seemed to be grossly ignorant of tlie value and durability of various classes of timber. There was no real need for Australia to import any timber at all, still less timber recognised in the country of its origin as useless for construction. Most people, too, knew so little about timber that it was a simple matter to substitute the cheaper woods for other kinds.