PERIOD OF. DEPRESSION

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 139, 16 June 1930, Page 11

PERIOD OF. DEPRESSION

WEST COAST SAWMILLS

Sixty''per cent,' -of "the' West Coast sawmills' are now closed down owing to depression in the industry, and others will cease operations shortly, says the Christchurcu "Press;" Included in the latter is the mill of William Goss, Ltd., atMoana. About twenty-five men will be rendered idle, including six who live on the southern shore of Lake Brunner, and who will'be obliged to leave there through tho journeys across the lake of the timber rafts, which also carry their stores, ceasing. The big sawmill at Kotuku also closed down recently. Both rimu and white pine are affected by the slump, and a general shortage of orders is reported. The Wellington demand has fallen off considerably through quieter times in the building trade, and the Canterbury ' market is apparently well supplied. The trade is expected to make a recovery locally when the big construction projects, for which plans are being drawn, are commenced. Better reports arc coming from Otago and Southland, where the sawmills are working more regularly. A Ghristchurch timber merchant remarked that an embargo on all imports, except Calii'ornian redwood, appeared to be tho only remedy for the present state of affairs. Ecdwood must be exempted because it was indispensable for doors and sashes and use in work exposed to tho weather, its durability and quality of not twisting or curling under these conditions giving it a special value.