NEW ZEALAND TIMBER

Evening Star, Issue 19660, 13 September 1927, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TIMBER

GOVERNMENT GIVES IT PREFERENCE.

“It is the definite policy of the Government to give preference to New Zealand timber in its building operation, and it is trusted that the developments now taking place on the part of the millers with regard to a better system of grading, seasoning of timber, and manufacture will enable a much larger quantity of the lower grades and classes of local timber to be utilised in the Government’s activities.” So said the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates), in the House of Representatives, when replying to a question by the Leader.fof the Opposition (Air H. E. Holland). “Redwood weatherboavding,” Mr Coates stated, “is being used on a small number of the workers’ homes being erected under the jurisdiction of the Hutt Housing Board. This timber is imported in bulk, and local labor is employed in handling it from ship, through the mill, and to the site of the house. The imported redwood is being used only in place of local hearttimber. No difficulty- whatever is being experienced by the New Zealand mills iu disposing of local heart-timber, but, as they have great difficulty iu placing their 0.8. and low grades, the practice is to stipulate that at least equal quantities of the latter shall be purchased with local heart-timber. The Railway Department, which supplies the timber for the Hutt housing scheme, already has huge quantities of 0.8. and low-grade timber on hand, and, if it were called upon to draw the whole of its heart-timber requirements for the workers’ dwellings from local supplies, the difficulties with regard to disposing of lower grades would'’ obviously bo very much accentuated. “ft is clear,” added the Prune Minister, “ that the very small percentage of imported timber being used in the construction of the Hutt houses cannot seriously affect the timber workers, and any saving that may result in the cost is definitely secured by the workers to whom the houses arc allotted.”