PRODUCTION OF TIMBER

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26058, 10 March 1950, Page 8

PRODUCTION OF TIMBER

INCREASING VOLUME OF BUILDING (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 9. The subsidy payable on overtime in the sawmilling industry is to be reinstated as from March Announc-, ing this to-day, the Minister of Forests (Mr E. B. Corbett) said that the Government was anxious that no obstacle should be placed in the way of persons wishing to build homes. The stock position could be improved only by a further increase in production. The Minister said that although timber production in 1949 reached an allcime record, shortages existed in practically every consuming centre in New Zealand. To achieve increased production the reduced subsidy at present payable for eight hours in the bush and four hours in the sawmill on indigenous operations would be extended to cover a period of eight hours’ overtime in all sawmilling and bush work throughout New Zealand where increased production could be secured by working longer hours. The Government feels that the increased production brought about by the reinstatement of the subsidy will be of substantial assistance to home builders, while the normal means of further increasing production by the establishment of new sawmills is taking place. "The Government is pleased to be able to record that a substantial increase of timber production is being planned by the sawmilling industry but it is thought that its full effect will probably not be felt until the end of the year,” said the Minister.