THE PRICE OF TIMBER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 165, 6 April 1908, Page 8

THE PRICE OF TIMBER.

PROPOSED DUTIES. VIEWS OF HON. E. MITCHELSON. (J!Y TELEGRArH—MESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, April 4. Considerable comment has been excitcd locally by tho suggestions of a deputation of builders in Wellington to the Minister for Customs to the effect that a strong export duty be placed on -kauri,' and that the duties on foreign timbers be abolished, -in-order to lowor tho prices, which, it was stated, were rising to an exceptional degree in the capital city. On bcinj* asked for an expression of opinion on tho subject to-day tho Hon. E. Mitchel>son remarked,to a "Star" interviewer that he was quite unable to understand tho "enormous" prices which arc being charged . in Wellington; as stated in'tho. telegram.' So far as kauri timber was-concerned (said Mr. Mitcliolson) it could not bo .produced at a lower ligure, .and the imposition of a duty sucli as pioposed would not affect matters in the slightest, but would merely place the whole alfair in the hands of the millers of rimu and -otlier timbers, as tho millers of kauri would be compelled'to closo down if forced to soil lower: r Rimu, for instance, could bo obtained on the West Coast atGroymouth for rs.. 9d. per 100 feet, and at the Northern Wairria' for Bs.'. per 100 feet. As the cost of transport to- Wellington would not be more than, an additional 2s. Gd., it was hard to understand, in the face of' these figures, ho.v 235. or 245. was being '.charged in Wellington for heart of rimu and inatai. In regard to the proposal to remove tho duties from:'foreign timber, Mr. Mitehelson. alio expressed the opinion that such a step would have ho effect, as Oregon" pino could be landed in any port in New Zealand, with Customs-duties -added, for 12s. per 100 feet. With ithe ; existing prices in. Auckland,. as, previously referred, to,- he was unablo to' assign any reason for tho prices at Wellington, as mentioned in the report.