TIMBER SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 277, 19 August 1944, Page 6

TIMBER SUPPLIES

Larger Output Expected Soon MINISTER’S REVIEW A substantial expansion in the sawmilling industry in the near future was forecast by the Commissioner of State Forests, Mr. Skinner, in a statement issued yesterday. He added with regard to the rehabilitation that he would ensure that the men who had made such an expansion possible would participate in what was one of the most important industries in this Dominion. He reviewed the most recent production figures available, and claimed that for the last financial year output would prove to be not less than 320,000,000 board feet. The peak during the war period was reached between March and May. 1943, but shortage of labour had caused production to fall slightly since then. Recently. however, that shortage had been largely overcome by the release of volunteers from the armed/forees in the Pacific. Already 444 men from this source had been directed to the saw-milling industry, as well as more than 200 from other sources. , ‘‘These men, I am sure, will effect a marked improvement in production,” said the Minister, “and further releases from the armed forces will. I feel convinced, largely solve the labour problem. I expect, in fact, that last year’s production will be exceeded during the current year.” Dealing with the projected return of building artisans to the South Island, Mr. Skinner said that for many years South Island mills had produced a surplus of 30,000.000 board feet above requirements. and'this surplus had usually been shipped to the North Island. The recent dislocation of Greymouth shipping facilities, however, together with other transport problems, had made it impossible for this surplus timber to be shifted, and it had been decided that all South Island artisans should return to that island immediately on completion of their current engagements in the North Island. This would allow increased construction in the South Island, where t'’--e were ample supplies of timber, and would also relieve the immediate drain on North Island supplies till it was possible to augment timber production there. The North Island Shortage. “I should like to emphasize that the acuteness of the timber shortage in the North Island arises primarily from the fact that we are compelled to service current consumption out of current production,” said the Minister, “and we are taking steps to build up substantial stocks to absorb current fluctuations in demand. Careful control of the distribution of timber will still be essential because no matter how much we do immediately increase production, there will .still be a tendency for users to demand more timber for work not immediately essential.” Increased manpower and the opening up of new areas of timber in the North Island was expected to give an extra annual production of 14,000,000 board feet,, added Dlr. Skinner. The present rate of cutting, amounting to 120,000.000 board feet, would be increased to 170,000,000 by the end of 1945, and to 190.000.000 by the end of 1946. “As only 60.000,000 and 80,000,000 board feet respectively will be required for housing for the two periods, 1945-1946 and 194647, there should be ample supplies for other essential constructional work besides allowing for the building up of stocks to service a still larger programme in 1947-1948,” he said. As a measure to assist in. preserving a balanced demand for building materials. the Minister said that it had been decided to proceed with a limited programme of semi-prefabricated houses. The sub-flooring timbers, floor and weather boarding would be of orthodox construction in indigenous timbers, but the walls, roofs and ceilings would be prefabricated with insignis pine framing, sarking. nnd in a few units, flooring. Only 2500 units of this type out. of a total of State and private houses of 5000 would be built for the year 1945-1946, said Mr. Skinner, leaving 2500 to be built in orthodox construction which the Timber Controller regarded as an absolute minimum to preserve a balanced demand of various grades allowed by indigenous timbers. There would, of course, also be other classes of construction which would- assist in. preserving this balanced demand.