NORTH ISLAND FORESTS

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13946, 29 April 1909, Page 3

NORTH ISLAND FORESTS

Per Press Association

TAIHAPE, April 28

.\t tho Timber Commission Mr. Gamman estimated tho lifo of the North Island forests at fifty years. Tho millers offered to let tfie Government fix a price for timl)or. Royalties and freight were already fixed and it might bo as well to fix the price. At least £7500 had been lost to tho country b\ tho present war between Oregon and rimn, some of which was sold below the cost. If Oregon wore predominant 5000 men would l>e displaced. Tho quantity of timbor in the Waimarino forest was over-estimated. He calculated it at 15,000 feet an acre and said a fair not profit to millers was 12£ por cent Risks of fire, he added, were very groat. Mr. Laird, the next witness, considered the rise in tho cost of build nip was due to other expenses than timber. The. millers were not making an,\ profits, orders having fallen o\i fifty poi cent. Architects and especially tho Government, woro specifying Oregon. He favoured a duty on all imported timbci and suggested Is for smaller Oregon. If Oregon were lowered many millerjwould go under. About 60 per cent, of the men were out of employment during the last twelve months. Tlie royalties were too heavy and allowance ought to be made in rough country. Oregon had not <?heapefled the cost of building. Sawmilling paid the largest wages of any industry. Heart of rimu was more durable than heart of Oregon. Protection duty did not protect and was no good.