SLUMP IN BUILDING.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXV, Issue 181, 17 March 1937, Page 3

SLUMP IN BUILDING.

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AFFECTED. HAMILTON, Last night. During the last five months there has been a marked slump in the timber industry in the Waikato, King Country and Rotorua districts, du.'> in large measure to a slackening in private building, following on the introduction of the State housing scheme. Railway figures show a definite falling off in consignments, and while conditions in recent weeks reveal an improvement the trade is not yet normal. Builders in Waikato towns prior to October were so busy on the erection of new homes that the mills were unable to meet the demand. During the second quarter of last year 1.750,540 ft. of timber arrived at the Plankton Junction station for use in Hamilton, a considerable increase on the supply for the sanv period in the previous year. From July to September the station handled 2,747,000 ft., compared with 1,441.350 ft. over the same period in 1935. From then the slump began and in October Hamilton merchants received only 296,270 ft., which was nearly 500,000 ft. less than in the same month the previous year. In December and January the figures were again considerably less, and though the position improved slightly in February, there was a discrepancy oi' 100,000 ft., compared with February. 1936. “There has been a hold-up in the demand since October, but now that the Government schemes are starting the trade should soon he back to normal,” stated Mr A. E. McCracken, manager of Messrs Ellis and Burnand, Ltd., recently. “ The extension i of the scheme to the provincial towns should stimulate the industry considerably. However, the Government is bound to watch the effect of the scheme in the cities before extending it to the province, and it will no doubt be some time yet before State houses am erected in Hamilton. Meantime, private enterprise is holding back, probably awaiting an announcement of the rents which the the Government will ask for Its houses. There would probably be steadier building if (lie Government policy regarding the provincial towns was more definite.” Inquiries show that matni and rimu have been most affected by the slacker trade. Totara is now used almost exclusively for joinery and there is not sufficient of this variety milled to meet the demand. All tlm while pine is consumed by the dairy industry for the manufacture - f butter boxes. meeting.” The prophet announced -.Garni to an awed Maori congregation that he had dreamed the night ] ofore of lour feathers, and that it was a portent of great disaster to the pakeha. Wandering off down a track, he presently returned with four white feathers, which he claimed to have just found. To the pakeha visitor he said solemnly: “E kite ana. kne nga hou nei—e aha ona tohiP?” (You see these feathers, do you know what- they mean?) The unbeliever laughed heartily and retorted, “No, I don’t, and 1 don’t believe you do, either.” Greatly discomfited, Rua instantly turned the course ot his address to other channels.