EXCLUSIVE USE OF DOMINION TIMBER

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 9

EXCLUSIVE USE OF DOMINION TIMBER

PRIME MINISTER’S HOPE ANNOUNCEMENT SHORTLY (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. r PHE Prime Minister expressed the hope in the House to-day that he would shortly be able to make a definite statement as to how far houses could be built in New Zealand with purely New Zealand timber. This announcement was made in reply to a question asked by Mr. E. A. Ransom. Pahiatua. who pointed out that a great deal of money which was invested in the State Advances was being: sent out of the country to pay for foreign importations. The fact that the mills had closed down in New Zealand, and millers had been thrown out of employment was considered sufficient for action by the Government. The Prime Minister said the Government was in accord with the sentiment of the question. Mr. W. Parry: But it has been going on for 12 months. Mr. Coates said 12 months ago the Government took steps to secure a specification in conjunction with the Valuation and the Architectural departments. It was recognised that the timber industry was in a bad position owing to the quick sale of the timber and for some time the millers did not take any particular notice of the requirements of the State Advances. Only when it was realised that the output of timber in the dominion had slackened off. and there was a slight increase in importations and a shortened demand, was the question brought before the Government. Since that time the question had been taken up with the different departments to see if a specification could be arranged to suit the State Advances department.