THE TIMBER COMMMISSION

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13945, 28 April 1909, Page 3

THE TIMBER COMMMISSION

SITTINGS AT TAIHAPE

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 27. The Timber Commission arrived at Taihape last night, and opened its sittings this morning. Evidence w as given by the manager of the Powell Process, Ltd., as to utilising soft timber, especially white pine and kauri. The pro cess would effect a great saving in rail way sleepers. Witness considered millers were charging a fair price for timber, also that the association was not the public. Mr. Punch, a saw miller, of Raetihi. who supplied the local trade, said h< considered the millers had a grievance against' the Government over raihvaj freight. He advocated a branch line from Ohakune to Raetihi. The importation of Oregon timber had helped tc depress the industry. If the present state of affairs continued, the industr> ' would be paralysed. The cost of production increased as the bush got fur ther bacV . ■ Mr Gamman, owning a large mill al Ohakune, gave lengthy evidence chief h directed against Oregon timber. H< put /in numerous American papershowing details of the lumber trade, the cost of production, and the nature of labour employed, etc. He fully ex plained the cost of .production in Rangitikei, and said {he industry wegreatly handicapped by Oregon, an by existing railway freights. Hi strongly condemned the Government ralqers, whom' he blamed for higl prices. The increased prices of timbei only meant £10 on a six-roomed house Oregon had failed to reduce build im prices. More duty on Oregon woult Bare a far-reaching effect, and wonlc be of benefit to the industry. Royal ties and freight were far too high. A duty «v a sliding scale would be a fair thing. There had been no, over-pro-duction here. . . After luncheon, the Commission pro eeeded to inspect two samples of bush. one showing the effects of fires sweep ing through, and the other the difficul ties of transit. Further evidence wa. taken by the Commission this evening.