PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 9 July 1927, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

I USE OF N.Z. TIMBER. For Houses. UNDER STATE ADVANCES. (Special to Argus.) WELLINGTON, July 8. The use ot New Zealand timber for building houses, under the State Advances Scheme, vas mentioned in the House, when Air Coates expressed a hope that he would shortly be able to make a definite statement as to bow far houses could be built in New Zealand with purely New Zealand timber. This statement was made in reply to a question asked by Mr Ransom who pointed out that a great deal of money-which was invested in the State Advances was being sent out of the country, to pay for foreign importations. The fact that the mills had closed down in New Zealand and that the millers had been thrown out of employment, was considered sufficient for action by the Government. Mr Coates, in reply, said the Government was in accord with the sentiment in question. Mr W. Parry (Labour): But ’it has been going on for .12 'months* Mr Coates said that 12 months ago the Government took steps to secure specifications in conjunction with the Valuation and the Architectural Departments. It was recognised that the timber industry was in a bad position. Owing to the quick sale of the timber, it was not till things became bad that the millers or others began to take notice of the position. For some time, the millers did not take any particular notice of the requirements of the State Advances. When it was realised that the output of timber in the Dominion had slackened off, and there was a [slight increase in the importations and 'a shortened demand; it was then and only then—that the matter was brought before the Government. Since that time the matter had been taken up with the different Departments, to see if a specification could be arranged to suit the State Advances Department. He hoped, in a short time, to make a statement that would be satisfactory to the millers and others concerned in the using of purely New Zealand timber for the building of houses in New Zealand.