WORKERS IN BUSH AND SAWMILLS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25091, 24 January 1947, Page 5

WORKERS IN BUSH AND SAWMILLS

TRIBUTE PAID BY MR C. F. SKINNER EXTRA WORK TO MAINTAIN PRODUCTION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 23. The majority of bush and sawmill workers throughout New Zealand were working considerably more than a 40-hour week, said the Commissioner of State Forests (Mr C. F. Skinner) to-day. He paid a tribute to the efforts of the sawmilling industry to maintain production at the maximum. He added that a survey made at the end of October, covering 280 of New Zealand’s 450 sawmills and representing a true cross-section of the industry, showed that in 75 per cent, of the bush operations and in 63 per cent, of the mills covered 44 dr more hours a week were being worked, while in many cases both bush and mill staffs were working a 48-hour week. Operators had indicated their general willingness to work extended hours until the present acute shortage of timber was overtaken, Mr Skinner said. Although complete statistics were not yet available, figures from certain districts indicated that timber production for the current year would be at least 350,000,000 board feet, which was an increase of 6,000.000 on the figures for the previous year. “That amount of timber is admittedly insufficient for all demands,” said Mr Skinner, “but taking into consideration the number of mills in operation and the manpower difficulties facing the industry it is an allout effort. In common with many other industries it is seriously understaffed, and many more men will be required for existing mills and for new units in 1947.”

The sawmill accommodation scheme was now operating, concluded Mr Skinner, and the first houses were already in the course of construction.