CURRENT TOPICS.

Northern Advocate, 27 August 1913, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

TIMBER OX RAILWAYS.

Sawmillers are finding themselves faced with having to pay extra freights on the railways if they deal honestly with the person who buys their timber. The departmental timber measures are now ignoring certain customs in the trade, inasmuch as they are adopting a "take all and give nothing' , policy. It has been the custom ever since the industry started to cut a board "full" thickness. This means that if an inch thick board is required it is cut at an inch and a sixteenth. The Railway Department now demands payment for as at the rate of an inch and an eighth Jhiokness. This results in freight charges on an eighth more timber tran the mill owner receives payment for. Another custom now being ignored by the Department is in respect to tongued and grooved flooring. It had been the practice to measure the width by including the grooving, but omitting the tonguing. At present the full width measurement is taken. The additional expense on freights will not, of course, only apply to railways, as the owners of timber carrying vessels will almost certainly demand tre same measurement as is allowed tlie Railway Department A sawmiller, in conversation with an "Advocate" reporter this ■morning, said We had 'worked! out what the difference would be if shipDing owners demand the railway measurements, and found that on a cargo of 400,000 feet of timber to Australia, be would now have to pay nearly £100 more freight than he did six months ago. He is making representation to the Minister for Railways, through- the member for the district, and endeavouring to have the old—and in the opinion of sawmillers—equitable custom reverted to.