"TIPPING" FOR TIMBER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160724, 10 August 1920, Page 7

"TIPPING" FOR TIMBER.

To tile Editor. Sir, —Fearing an injustice may be done to innocent people, allow me to comment on tile local appearing in last Friday's issue re tipping of ordermen in the local timber yards. It is, unfortunately, very true that sonio people stop at nothing in their endeavour to get ahead of their fellow purchasers. At present there is not an abundance of timber, and official instructions are to execute orders in rotation as far as possible; but, in spite cf this, some individuals resort to the odious practice of ‘‘palm-greasing.” This is done, not so much as an induce' ment for ordermeu 1o beat their employers, but for such “palin' greasers” to secure supplies before theil follow builders. Vie have found, however, that the greater culprit is the casual buyer and not the standard contractor. On an isolated purchase it may not bo a big item, but if the habit became common, builders, to pro.ect themselves, would have to fall in line, no matter how reluctantly, and thus further add to the present high cost of building. In fairness, however, to the great body of timber yard employees, I am glad to say they a.ro generally above this sort of thing, though occasionally a black sheep turns up—in which case the firm not only loses a prospective client, but also an otherwise probably good employee. —I am, etc.,

R. J. JACKSON, Manager, The Wanganui Sash and Door I actory and Timber Co., Ltd.