NEW ZEALAND TIMBER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND TIMBER.

GRADING AND CLASSIFICATION. ASSISTANCE TO SAWMILLING INDUSTRY. WELLINGTON, May 9. After prolonged investigation and discussion, proposals have been drafted for uniform rules for the grading and classification of timber throughout the Do-minion-—a step which will undoubtedly bo a big factor for New Zealand forest products. Ihe work of drawing up more scientific and uniform grading and classification rules for New Zealand timbers was entrusted to a special committee of experts appointed by the Prime Minister in April last year. This committee was appointed to (1) consider ways and means of extending the use of New Zealand timbers, ana (2) to advise as to the best practical means of attaining this object. - The Timber Committee, at a meeting he’d yesterday, adopted important suggestions made by the sawmillers’ executive, which will have the effect of virtually merging the present terms and practices of grading timber, which differ to some extent in each province, into one uniform system with minimum disturbances of present practices. Before the proposed uniform system can be definitely adopted, however, it is the intention of the timber committee to consult immediately with the Timber Merchants’ Federation, and opportunity will be given to all millers, whether associated or not, the Institute of Architects, and the Master Bui’ders’ Federation to maKe comment on constructive suggestions that might be calculated to improve the proposed rules or to make possible their general adoption by the interests most concerned. These consultations will be arranged as quickly as possible, and the inauguration of the new scheme can be looked for before many months have passed. It is the intention of the Timber Committee to recommend to the Government that the new grading and classification rules for New Zealand timbers, when finally completed, shall be adopted universally by all Government departments as a basis for the purchase of the timber requirements of those departments, and as a basis for uniformity in timber specifications for all buildings constructed by loan moneys advanced by Government departments.

The sawmillers themselves consider that the inauguration of uniform and definite grading and classification rules applied to their product is probably the biggest s’ep that has yet been undertaken to place their industry on a better footing, and that it is certain to lead to greater satisfaction to timber users generally, and to proper appreciation of the real merits and undeniable qualifications of the various New Zealand timbers for practically all purposes for which wood is used. It is not anticipated that the new grading rules and collateral specific definitions of allowable defects in timber will be complete in all detail or actually final when adopted, but the care and detailed work which has been put into their compilation ensure that nothing but minor or trifling alteration or amendment may he necessary from time to time.