Carpenters to back campaign

Press, 28 July 1976, Page 11

Carpenters to back campaign

Canterbury’ carpenters support the campaign to save West Coast forests and to reduce “wasteful use” of native timber. This was decided at a meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Carpenters’ Union, according to a statement from the Native Forest Action Council. The secretary of the union (Mr J. E. Clough) said that a lot of rimu was being used for framing houses because, sap rimu was cheaper than tanelised radiata. “We are concerned that rimu, like some other native trees, might be culled out of forests. Native forests should be left for people to enjoy,” he said.

“We think rimu should I be preserved for facing timbers because it is a beautiful timber and decorative.” Mr A. Buchanan, a spokesman for the Native Forests Action Council, said that less than onethird of the rimu used in building was used for finishing and joinery, and most of it was “wasted” on framing. Buildii.gs framed with rimu could expect to have borer infestation within 10 years. “The carpenters agreed that the non-renewable native timber resources j should not be exploited ! for framing houses in i Canterbury. particularly ; tvhen radiata supplies : were available,” he said. !