GISBORNE DISTRICT TIMBER SUPPLIES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22484, 13 November 1947, Page 4

GISBORNE DISTRICT TIMBER SUPPLIES

STATEMENTS published this week completely clear the Gisborne Timber Merchants’ Association of the charge made by the timber controller, Mr. Ward, that its members are opposed to the idea of local builders obtaining supplies from the Main Trunk saAVmills. The attitude of the association to the allegation is avcll summed up in the follOAving extract from its official reply:.“At no time have any of the merchants raised any objection to this trade. On the contrary, they have encouraged the builders to obtain supplies outside the district if possible and have even agreed to strip and dress, if necessary, any timber so required. The merchants have at all times, in the interests of the industry and the district, endeavoured to assist builders in every Avay and have already dressed a considerable amount of timber procured elseAvhere. Beyond this, the Merchants’ Association, Avhich has received the support of the Gisborne Builders and Contractors. Union of Employers, could not be expected to go. Obviously it is in the interests of the merchants, as it is of everybody else, to see as much timber coming into the district as is available and the Avheels of the Avhole industry thus kept turning at a reasonable speed until the days of a more adequate all-round supply come back . Some idea of the shortage can be gleaned from the information that in 1938 and 1939 half a million feet of timber a month Avere coming into the district and Avere absorbed by about 100 carpenters. Since then four of the supplying mills have cut out and closed doAvn, and the amount coming in at present is only a little over ZO(J,UUU feet a month. And practically the same number of carpenters have been augmented by betAveen 150 and 150 trade trainees. Unfortunately this position is likely to continue for some time, and in the circumstances the merchants have .no intention of objecting to outside supplies coming in. It is surprising that a man holding such an authoritative post as timber controller should have. fallen into the error of accusing the Gisborne merchants of a dog-in-the-manger attitude. He Avould have been Avell. advised to verity his information before venturing to submit anything in the nature of an official complaint.