LOCAL TIMBERS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 140, 9 March 1929, Page 10

LOCAL TIMBERS

PREFERENTIAL USE DECISION OF PRIME MINISTER DIRECTIONS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS A definite policy has been adopted by the Prime Minister Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) for the preferential use wherever possible of New Zealand timbers for Departmental requirements and buildings constructed under State loans. This decision is contained in a letter sent by the Prime Minister yesterday to Ministers in charge of Government Departments interested in timber supplies. It states: — , . “You may be aware that during the past two vears a special committee, comprising' officers of Government Departments, and experts in the sawmilling industry. has been making an economic investigation into the timber industry of the Dominion. One of the first matters dealt with has been the preparation of a uniform system of grading and classificatlo“The work undertaken by the Committee was primarily intended to devise ways and means of creating a much greater demand for, and an extended use of, locally-produced timbers by Government Departments, and generally with a view to relieving the long existing depression and consequent unemployment in the industry. , x , .. “The committee has now reported tha result of its deliberations to me, and 1 am glad to say that, as far as building timbers suitable for Government requirements are concerned, the preparation, ox a uniform grading and classification scheme has been completed. This scheme will be put into operation forthwith by sawmillern who have updertaken to supply Departments with timber cut true to grade, sizes, and properly seasoned. “The classification and grading rules have been closely revised* by experts in all Government Departments concerned, and have been unanimously recommended for adoption. The scheme closely follows the practice adopted in other countries (notably United States of America and Canada), which has been so successful in building up local and export markets. ‘lt is my wish that wherever possible New Zealand timbers be given preference by Government Departments. for. Departmental requirements, and for use in buildings constructed under State loans, and that the new classes and grades bfl used in all future orders for supplies. “I shall be gla,d if you will interest your Department accordingly. Provisions of Rules. The general provisions of the standard grading and classification rules mentioned by the Prime Minister state: “Xue term ‘building timber’ means timber that is manufactured and classified into sizes; shapes and qualities required for ordmary construction and general purpose uses. Timbers for special purposes, or where strength is the deciding factor, are not specifically covered by these rules and will be supplied as special orders according to specification. The grading of timber cannot be considered an exact science, because it is based on a visual inspection of each piece and on the judgment of the grader. The provisions of these specifications, however, are sufficiently explicit to establish 5 per cent.-below-grade as a reasonable variation between graders. To the extent to which differences in quality of timber, in conditions of manufacture, and in the uses to which the product is put. will in practical application permit, the basic provisions for the grading of timber shall be uniform. The grade of timber, rough or surfaced two sides, shall be determined from the better face of the piece. Timber surfaced one side shall be graded from the surfaced side. The reverse side should be approximately within one grade of the face grade, but m the dressing grades the quality of the reverse side should more nearly approach that of the better side. Scantlings, joists, planks and heavy timbers are graded for strength. Defects in them must be considered in relation to their effect on the strength of the piece. These rules prescribe the number and extent of defects and blemishes permitted in the poorest pieces admissible in each grade. A consignment of any grade must consist of a fair average of that grade, and cannot be made up of an unfair proportion of the better or poorer pieces that would pass in that grade. The number of defects and blemishes permitted may vary as the area of the piece to be graded increases or diminishes in respect to the standard size specified in the following clause, but the size of the defects must not exceed that allowed by the .grading rules. Defects should be well distributed. The number of blemishes or defects allowed ,in grades clean and dressing A are based on a piece 81n. 'wide by 12ft. .long, or a piece which contains 8 square feet surface measure. When defects or blemishes, or combinations thereof, not described in these grading rules, are encountered, they will be considered as equivalent to described defects or blemishes according to their damaging effect upon the piece in the grade tinder consideration. Defects in rough timber which can be removed in dressing to standard size shall not be considered, in determining the grade under these rules. Timber when worked shall be graded the same as the respective grades in the rough. Timber accepted on grade in the locality of purchase cannot, except with the consent of all parties interested, he regraded, owing to subsequent changes in condition during manufacture or storago.” ‘ The remainder of the rules dealt in technical fashion with sizes and measurements. classification, definitions of defects and blemishes, and other matters.