THE TIMBER TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 263, 30 July 1908, Page 10

THE TIMBER TRADE.

PROPOSED DUTY' ON OREGON PINE. (nir TELEGKArH—rKESS ASSOCIATION - .) Auckland, July 29. With a view to ascertaining the\feeliiip amongst local timber merchants regardini tho agitation on the part of some sawmillor, and merchants for an increased import dutj on Oregon pine, and on tho other hand thai of tho builders and contractors for its free admission, a representative of tho'"Herald" mado sojn'o inquiries among the local merchants to-day. Tho general opinion, based on tho grounds set out by Mr. L-. J. Bagnal!, ;eenicd to bo in' favour of maintaining tilt present duty of 2s. per 100 ft. Tho Hon. E. vfitchelson was tho exception. He maintained that tho cheap freights (25., 6d.) ruling from Vancouver to tho Dominion did not affect the question, and .was in favour of abolishing tho duty. "It tho mills 'cannot compote with Oregon pino, let them closo down, ho said. Mr. Bagnall said that, in his opinion, the duty of 2s. hot in forco. was sufficient, and a further increase might have tho effect of- raiding the price of timber, which was qui to high enough now for pooplo 'who had to use it. The influx of Oregon; timber at tho present time was largely due to tho low pricea ruling in America consequent upon the financial depression, and this state of things would probably br remedied by tho end of tho year, and prices would once more beeomo normal. The Kauri trade, was not nffceted, as tile best markets for this tin,bet were ontsido tho'Dominion: