SAWMILLING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 43, 19 August 1944, Page 9

SAWMILLING

EXPANSION FORESEEN BUILDING UP OF STOCKS A substantial expansion in the sawmilling industry in the near future was foreshadowed by the Commissioner of State Forests (Mr. Skinner) in a statement issued yesterday. He added that with regard to rehabilitation 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 the Dominion.

Mr. Skinner 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 broad 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 Forces in the Pacific. Already 444 men from that source had been' directed to the sawmilling 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 anticipate, in fact, that last year's production of 320,000,000 broad feet will be exceeded during the current year." SOUTH ISLAND SURPLUS. 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 broad feet abow requirements, and -that surplus had usually been shipped to the North Island. The recent dislocation oC Greyimouth .shipping facilities, however, together with other transport problems, had made it impossible for that surplus timber to be shifted, and it had been decided that all South Island artisans should return to that island immediately upon completion nf their current engagements in the North Island. : .'

That would allow increased construction in the South Island, where there were ample supplies of timber, and also relieve the immediate drain upon North Island supplies until it was possible to augment timber production there.

"I should like to emphasise 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.

"Of course, careful control of the distribution of timber will still be.essential, because no matter how much we do immediately to increase produckion, there will still be a. tendency for users to" demand still more timber for work not immediately essential." increased man-power and the opening, up of new areas of timber in the North Island, were expected to give an extra annual production of 14,000,000 Broad feet, continued Mr. Skinner. The present rate of cutting, amounting to 120,000,000 broad feet, *would be increased to 170,000,000 broad feet by the end of 1945, and to 190,000,000 broad feet by the end of 1946. As only 60,000,000 and 80,000,000 broad feet respectively would be required for housing for the two periods, 1945-46 and 1946-1947, 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. ■ ...

SEMI-PREFABRICATION. As a measure to assist in preserving a, balanced demand for building materials, it had been decided to proceed with a limited programme of semi' prefabricate houses. The sub-flooring timbers, floor and weather boarding would be of orth'odpxl construction in indigenous timber, but the walls, roofs, and ceilings would be prefabricated with insignus pine framing, sarking, and in a few units, flooring. Only 2500 units of that type, out of a total of State and private houses of 5000, would be built for the year 1945-1946, 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.