694

[O. HTJTTON.

H.—24.

30. You are satisfied that now the Main Trunk line is through there is ample timber of our own for our own purposes for some years to come? —I am. 31. We have had it suggested that the supply is greater than the demand, which I suppose is ti lie! —I think so. 32. On this question of sleepers, do you think the Government might do a, little more in the way of ordering our own timber for sleepers, or are they acting wisely in getting timber from elsewhere? —1 think we have the timber in New Zealand for that purpose. •"53. Do you think that, although our timber may not last as well, the Government might stretch a point and, in view of the .shortage of work, assist the workers in that direction? —1 certainly do. 34. You have some knowledge of timber? —Yes. 35. Are you and the workers generally of opinion that our own timber is good enough for all ordinary purposes?—At one time I believe it was quite good enough, and I fail to see why it should not be good enough to-day. 1 understand it was good enough for beams, itc, not long ago, and it should be good enough for the same purpose now. 36. Can you tell us of your own knowledge whether it is possible to cut long lengths at the mills you are working at? —Yes; if we got the orders we could cut any lengths up to 40ft. And I think, if there weie a guarantee of orders for long lengths, there would be plenty of mills here prepared to cut longer. 37. Is there any reason why these long lengths should not be cut up the whole length instead of in cross-lengths?— Not the slightest, if they are required. It is just as easy to cut them into long lengths as into short ones. 3S. Before the Oregon (line came in, what was the proportion of orders for long lengths as compared with the total orders given at the mill?—I could nol really say, but 1 know it would be very small in comparison with the others. We have been working our new mill about eighteen months, and the longest length we have cut is about 25 ft. 39. 1 was speaking of before eighteen months ago. Then, at that time, when the orders were going to our own mills, was the proportion of orders for long lengths still very small as compared with the whole output?— Very small. 40. Mr. Bat her."\ What mill are you working at?— The Egmoni Box Company, liangitikei. They have two mills there, one at Taihape, and the other at Utiku. 1 am working at the Utifcu mill". 41. This meeting was called at Taihape, and you represent the workers there? —Yes. 42. Is it not a fact that the bush in the vicinity of Taihape is being worked out?— With the number of mills there it is being worked out every day, but there is a vast amount of work there yet. 43. But is it not generally understood that the timber business is nearly approaching extinction at Taihape? —l do not know that. 44. Are there not exceptional difficulties in getting their logs to the mills.'—Yes, in the rough country. 15. You know Bennett's mill? —I do. 46. You know the difficulties they have there?— Yes. 47. Do you not think the difficulties are getting beyond the value of the timber? —l could not say. 48. You think the consuming public is going to bear the burden, because of this protection which seems to have no end to it and which goes on increasing year after year? —Of course, it would be hardly fair to ask the miller to cut and cart it for nothing. 49. I do not say he should : but is the material worth it when you can get a material of equal value for the purpose at a much less cost?—l do not know anything a.bout that. 50. In regard to the supply of long lengths, is there not a difficulty in getting a log suitable to cut long lengths? —No. 51. Is the length there to get a long clean barrel and to get it out?— Yes. 1 suppose there is more trouble in cutting a long length, especially if it is to lie heart first-class, than there is in cutting second-class. 52. Take that tram at Bennett's, where they have to lower down. Could they lower long lengths down that tram as easily as short ones? —Undoubtedly they could. 53. And they could get them to the top of the hill? —Yes; they have a log-hauling machine on top. 54. A lot of the logs were short logs, although pretty big in the barrel?— Most of the logs we are working on aie full length. 55. We were led to believe that the millers were anxious to get orders owing to the slackness of trade: what did they mean by saying that your firm does not care whether they get orders or not? —There is no sale for them : the meichants cannot get rid of the orders. 56. But, if they have the order, surely it is an order to be supplied, and one would have thought, if there were a depression, and they got the order, they would be only too pleased to execute and deliver it?—We are simply cutting a lot of timber and stacking it in the yard. 57. But you said that your firm did not care ?—I did not say they did not care. I said there was not the bustle and hurry that there was at one time. 58. You supply timber, although you call it a box-making company?— Yes. 59. You do cut timber for building purposes) —Yes. 60. And, in addition to supplying timber for ordinary building purposes, you manufacture the short pieces into boxes?— No. The white-pine chiefly goes into cheese-cases and butter-boxes. 61. Mr. Jennings.] Have you in any way overstated the position of affairs up in the Rangitikei and Waimarino districts?— Not the slightest.