THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19608, 9 April 1927, Page 8

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

IMPOBTS AND DEPRESSION, CLAIMS FOR PROTECTION. "UNEMPLOYMENT RAMPANT." [B? TELEGRAPH. -—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OHAKUNE, Friday. 1 The importation of timber and its effect on the Dominion's timber industry from thff point of view of the New Zealand Timber Industry Advancement League, were reviewed by the organising secretary of the league, Mr. W. E. Turnbull. Referring to the position as it obtains in and around Raetihi and Ohakune, Mr. Turnbull said: "Unemployment among mill workers is becoming rampant. Two mills paid off 35 men last week and I am informed by the manager of one of the largest mills in the district that unless more orders are forthcoming half their staffs will of necessity soon be dismissed." , " I have no hesitation," said Mr.Turnbull, " in attributing to the importation of foreign timbers the direct cause of the present depression, coupled with the fact that many city, and borough councils will not allow 0.8. timber to be used in buildincs. When one considers , that trees in the New Zealand forests cut only 15 per cent, heart, it is obvious that there must be considerable waste in New Zealand milling. xlt one time a market existed in Australia for the lower grade timber, but the Reform Govern- | ment prohibited the export, with the codI sequent loss of the market. "It is a fact that millers may secure a permit to export to Australia, but they must procure a permit for each shipment, and it is therefore impossible for them to sign contracts, as there is no guarantee that the permit will be granted. The Australian merchants, realising that the supplies could not be relied upon, sent their-orders abroad, and that trade is lost to New Zealand millers. We have now millions of- feet of timber stacked in our yards." Asked if the imported timber was of better quality than iocal products, Mr. Turnbull replied: "No, on the evidence of timber experts, it is not even as good, and there lies another injustice to the industry. Oregon, cedar and hemlock are allowed to compete with our heart timbers in the buildings in cities and boroughs where our 0.8. timbers are not allowed to be used." He contended it was wrong to suggest that New Zealand timbers took the borer, while the imported product was free from it. The imported timbers did take the borer, and when the Tariff Commission sat in Ohakune he submitted a piece of Oregon with the borer well in evidence. Regarding the estimated loss to milling districts, Mr. Turnbull said that three months ago the loss to the Ohakune-Bae tihi district was over £IOOO per week, Tanmarunui £I6OO and the West Coast £2500. He did not have figures from Southland and other districts, but they were obviously very heavy. The tradespeople of this district were finding it difficult to meet their obligations. With reference to a heavier duty increasing the cost of home building, Mr. Turnbull pointed out that the New Zealand millers had already given an undertaking to the Government that the price of timber would not be increased. With no protective tariff the small miller would not be able to carry on, the larger concerns would then control both local and imported timber and the price would Le forced up. "The object of my'league," continued Mr. Turnbull, "is to develop and watch over the New Zealand timber industry, always protecting the public against exploitation by timber millers and merchants. We want the Government to prohibit sawn softwoods and to impose a duty of 12s per 100 feet on lengths and sizes not procurable in this country. The importation of timber to New Zealand is on the increase."