TIMBER COMMISSION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13865, 30 March 1909, Page 6

TIMBER COMMISSION.

_ IN SOUTHLAND. l*«r Press Association. INYERCARGILL, March 29. The Timber Commission sat all day hearing four witnessse. W. EL. Brent, sawmiller, and president- of the Sawmillers' Association, thought the importation of Oregon should be retarded, and suggested a lighter duty on heavy timber, because it was such as could not be produced in the colony, and was wanted for building. A heavy duty should be placed on lighter timber. The Government could greatly relieve the sawmillers by extending the bush areas that could he held, so that the mills would be assured a longer life. Millers could then, adopt improved methods by which the cost of production would be lowered. During recent years the increased cost of timber for houses was only about Is per 100 feet, and he would be astonished to hear that such a slight increase caused capitalists to refrain from investing their money in house building. Andrew Bain,- president of the Builders' Association, stated that the rise in the price of. timber made a difference of at least £SO or £6O in the cost of a, four or five-roomed cottage. The price for rough rimu had risen during the last twenty rears from 3s 9d to 10s 6d per 100 feet. Builders stoutly opposed any increase of duty on Oregon, because the 'timber was necessary, being lighter and more durable than red pine, and because builders got it seasoned, and it was impossible to pet reel pine not green. Ho contended that the Sawmillers' Association had fcen formed to raise the prices, and had done so.