IMPORTED TIMBERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1960, 17 January 1914, Page 13

IMPORTED TIMBERS.

NORTHERN BUILDERS CONCERNED. (By Tolecraph— Special GorrcEDOflSonti Auckland, January 18. The fact that the Auckland Timber Workers' Union intends to aaU for a» increased rate of pay from i)s. Cd. to 12s. a day w'hilo handling Australian jarrah and Oregon pino is causing much concern among local builders. Tho matter was fully discussed at a meeting of the Builders' Association yesterday j when Mr. J. T. Julian, chairman, said there appeared to be a movement on foot which, if carried out, would havo the effect of crippling tho imported timber trade. The timber workers were making application for a new award whereby they should be paid higher wagos while handling imported timber, but he thought that behind this demand there was some object which should be fully investigated. The effect of an .increase in wages, and thus m 'price, would bo to make such timber almost prohibitive and tho burden would thus hiivo to be borne, not by the builders themselves, but by tlie public indirectly. Local supplies were getting worked out, and it was absolutely necessary, especially for some classes of work, that Australian hardwoods and Oregon pino should bo used. Mr. S. J, Clark said tho matter was a most important one as it concerned tho supply of raw material for one of tho largest industries in tho Dominion. The question was shortly to be decided by tho Conciliation Council, and as tho association would not be allowed to have any representative there, they would simply have to abide by whatever agreement was arrived at between the sawmillers and their employees. Should the men's demands be acceded to it would bo only natural that, in order to compensate- themselves for the extra outlay, the saw milieus would increase tho selling price of tho timber, wliicn Mr, Clkrk estimated would bo by at least Is. per 100 superficial feet. It was claimed that a total, or even a : partial, prohibition of the timber, would amount, to a monopoly and it was tins which the builders wanted to guard agamst: Xo elmrge of complicity in the matter was made against the sawpillcrs, but at tho same time by af-ceomg . to their employees' demands an opportunity would be placed before- them, of making increased profits. Moreover, it such an arrangement wofo made, a (lancerous precedent would bo created as it would show that despite tlw -tariffs fixed by the Government any other, import m'iWit bo similarly affected morelv by a private agreement/between the employers and tlw employees.,,"),, that industry. ■ ; *;' '■-'■ >"'•.•-.-. On the motion , ot Mr.-Clark: thefollowing resolution was -carrieo:."-. 'Ihat tho Government- be . respectfully - asked to inako such amendment to.'the.'lndustrial Conciliation and- ..-Arbitration Act as shall make it impossible.;.-;to limit supplies of raw 'material '« any industry by mean* of' nproial; wrmii or rates of payment for working or nanaline.** rf|fe##^P^