TARIFF ON TIMBER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20642, 14 August 1930, Page 13

TARIFF ON TIMBER.

EFFECT OF NEW RATE.

AMPLE LOCAL SUPPLIES. VIEWS OF CITY MERCHANTS. The opinion that sufficient suitable New Zealand timber would be available to replace foreign timber, which would to a certain extent be kept out by the latest proposed increase in the tariff, was expressed by a leading timber merchant yesterday. "I am sure that New Zealand can produce all the heart timber required to replace foreign heart timber," he said, in referring to a suggestion that this class of timber would not be available in sufficient quantities in the Dominion. The merchant said Auckland occupied .111 isolated position in New Zealand with regard to the specifications laid down for its home-building. Auckland Province was the home of the kauri and for many years it had been a tradition that heart of timber should be used, at least for the weatherboarding and flooring of houses. Whereas a sap timber was used in the South Island for floors and weatherboards, it was the custom in Auckland that only heart timber should be used. Foreign Timber Dearer. It was not thought likely by the merchant that the traditional policy in Auckland would be altered. Although the new tariff would probably mean the Stoppage of the importation of heart of cedar And redwood, he considered there was sufficient heart of kauri and rimu available to supply all needs. Provided a boom in building was not experienced there was little need of concern in this respect. Where foreign timber was used iu building it was natural to expect that the cost of construction would advance. As far as joinery was concerned already many joinery factories were cutting more New Zealand timber. Fashion entered largely into the manufacture of sashes and doors. Although New Zealand timber could be used more extensively for sashes and doors than it was, the fashion had been that redwood timber should be used. Consequently, for some time past the joinery factories had been cutting redwood timber almost exclusively, and it was not Until recently that the proportion of foreign timber began to decrease. Local timber was quite satisfactory for sashes and also, to a large extent, for doors. Admittedly, for doors in some locations redwood was superior. It was in such instances that the higher tariff would possibly have an effect in raising the cost of building. To illustrate the point, the merchant said that if he were electing a building in a certain position facing the sun he would certainly stipulate that the door should be constructed of redwood timber, in spite of the extra cost this would involve. Timber from Canada. The view that there was sufficient heart timber in New Zealand for present needs was supported by the representative of another timber firm. However, he was doubtful whether this would be so should ii revival in the building trade be experienced. With respect to joinery work, he said he considered foreign, timber would still be used in place of the higher-priced local timber and that the extra duty would be passed on. This woidd have the effect of increasing building costs. In the opinion of a city builder the principal difficulty . with regard to New Zealand timber was in obtaining long lengths. With respect to joinery work local timber was often not properly seasoned, but this could be remedied if tho timber interests combined and erected a kiln for seasoning. Surprise was expressed in some quarters that no reference was made in the tariff to a preference for Canadian timber, as it was understood by the Canadian delegation which recently visited the Dominion that tins would be brought into effect. A complaint of the delegation had been that New Zealand exported butter to Canada in boxes the timber for which came from outside the British Empire. ".CAUSE FOR SATISFACTION." DUNEDIN MERCHANTS VIEW. [BY TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN. Wednesday. " Although we have not received all we asked for, the New Zealand sawmillers will be satisfied with the increased duties on timber, which will certainly have a beneficial effect on the industry," said -Mr. Brent, chairman of the Dunedin Timber Merchants' Association, to-day. While the duties were in the right direction, said Mr. Brent, lie contended that the system of measurement was wrong. 'l'iie duty on four-by-one timber was double that on four-by-half-inch timber, consequently the Americans dressed and thinned the timber, thus causing a loss of employment to New Zealanders. The higher duties would not stop tho importations, but they would be curtailed. " I am certain that the protection will give more employment to labour," he said. " The new duties, which will cause red pino to be used instead of Oregon flooring and lining, will not. have the effect of increasing the cost of the working man's house, but the man who builds a palatial home, with oak panellings and expensive timbers, is usually well able to afford the cost, which will now bo increased for him."