TIMBER INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1934, Page 6

TIMBER INDUSTRY

INCREASED OUTPUT REPORTED MORE MEN EMPLOYED According to the latest figures available there has been' a marked improvement in-the timber trade of the Dominion during the last 12 months, with a consequent increase in the number of men employed. With the commencement of the economic depression the almost entire cessation' of building activities practically extinguished the demand for timber and the mills throughout the country did. very little work for about two years. Now the majority of mills? arc working and are increasing the number of men employed to cope with the demand for timber, both in New Zealand and overseas. It was obvious that the rate of increase in production had been accelerated by several factors, Mr A. Seed secretary of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association, stated in'Well- ' ington this week. The principal factor within New Zealand was the increased building brought about by the Unemployment Board’s building subsidy scheme, and the steadily improving de. mand in. Australia for New Zealand rimu accounted in a large measure for the increased exports. ... “It seems plain also,” said Mr Seed, “that the increase in- building is not entirely due to the building subsidy, for there is a quickly growing recognition of a general house shortage in practically all the centres of the Dominion, and a growing appreciation of the fact that building posts are at present low and that house building provides one of the few .avenues for, the sound investment of surplus fun’ds at the present time.” ?,/ c For the four six-weekly periods from April 1, 1934, the timber carried over New Zealand -railways totalled 1-50,003 tons, as against 117,000 tons during the corresponding period last year, reppresenting an increase of 33.000 tons ; or 70,000.000 superficial feet during the 1934 period, against 56,000,000 superficial feet in the 1933 period. This increase of 16,000,000 feet repreents a percentage increase of approximately 28.5.