FREIGHT CHARGES ON AUSTRALIAN TIMBER.

Southland Times, Issue 19510, 9 May 1922, Page 2

FREIGHT CHARGES ON AUSTRALIAN TIMBER.

A deputation representing the Executive of the New Zealand Counties Association waited on the General Manager of Railways on May 3, to urge upon him the desirability of making the freight charges on Australian timber the same as those on New Zealand timber, and it was pointed out that the Australian timber was absolutely essential for bridge work and for poles for hydroelectric services, and that the reasons which existed when the rate- and- a-half tariff was imposed do not now obtain. It was also urged that when tariff alterations are being made special consideration should be given to those classes of goods on which freights are too high, that motor lorries are able to undercut the railway rates to the detriment of the railway revenue, and cause enormous loss of the local bodies whose roads are being cut to pieces. Mr M’Villy gave a sympathetic reply in regard to freights on Australian timber, and explained the great difficulties the railways ware working under owing to the very great increase in working and other costs, and promised that every consideration would be given to the representations of the deputation during the progress of the Tariff adjustments which are now in hand. GROW REDWOOD. AN EXPERT’S ADVICE. In an interview, states the Express, Mr Will Lawson, organiser of the Forestry League, said that he was convinced that Marlborough people should concentrate on growing the redwood (sequoia sempervirens). This timber was the most durable of all timbers. It was suitable for window-sashes, because it would not warp, it made beautiful interior finishings, was durable in the ground, and as weatherboarding would last for ever. Recently, Professor Campbell, of Stamford University, California, expressed his views of this valuable timber to Mr Lawson. “If any province or district in New Zealand can grow the redwood,” said the professor, “they should drop all other enterprises and grow this fine timber. It is practically everlasting, as its name implies; it is fire-resisting, on acocunt of its thick bark; logs that have lain in the ground for 300 years have been dug up perfectly sound.” Mr Lawson expressed the conviction that there was a great future for the Sounds district in growing Oregon pine and redwood. The former required more moisture than was to be found in the Wairau, but the redwood would do well in either district. A tree which it would pay Marlborough to grow was the ironbark. There was and would be a tremendous demand for telegraph, telephone, and electric power poles. The only timber approved of by the Government for this purpose was the ironbark. Last year £500,000 worth of poles was imported from Australia.