WAR MEASURES

Evening Star, Issue 23695, 1 October 1940, Page 3

WAR MEASURES

CONTROL OF TIMBER WIDELY DIFFERING METHODS CANADA AND AUSTRALIA It is interesting to compare the of different countries in tackling the problems caused by war. Australia for the most part remains true to the traditional sotting up of boards to ddal with matters that arise. Canada, on the hand, has taken a leaf from the more vigorous policy of Mr Roosevelt, vesting the right to decide and act in one man, an expert in his sphere. The Australian boards, in some cases at least, act only in an advisory capacity. One of the organisations set up by the Commonwealth Government is to assist timber merchants, architects, and builders in the selection and supply of local and imported timbers for different purposes. Supplies of recognised standard imported timbers for different building purposes are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, thus causing a considerable amount of chaos in the building industry. Tho demand of the Commonwealth Department of the Interior for large quantities of timber for army buildings and other war requirements, combined with' the restriction in the volume of imported timber to save exchange, has been responsible for the present shortages of selected building . construction timber. UU-OROINATION OF REUUIREMENTS. A control organisation (says the ‘ Sydney Morning Herald ’) has been sot up by the Commonwealth Department of Supply and Development for the co-ordina-tion of tho requirements of architects and builders for private contracts and for defence work, with the object of establish-

ing, orderly and efficient machinery for the supply of both local and imported timbers.

It lias been found that much first-grade timber has been used for purposes where a lower grade would have been equally effective. The Commonwealth Department of the Interior has been the main user of first-grade timber on many buildings of a temporary nature, or where a good local timber would probably have greater lusting qualities. This procedure has been disadvantageous to the building industry generally, and more especially in the erection of cottages and bungalows where the financial organisations insist on strict standard specifications. Sydney timber merchants and builders welcome the establishment of the now organisation, but regret that this is still another important organisatibn whose headquarters will bo in Melbourne. All questions relating to timber supplies have to bo addressed to the Assistant Controller of Timber, Department of Supply and Development, 83 William street, Melbourne, C.l, though the greater part of imported timber is landed in Sydney. Against this—admirable thought it is—contrast tho Canadian war-time industries control, which consists of controllers for various branches of the industry under the Department of Munitions and Supply, each of whom is clothed with sweeping powers to adjust and direct industry to war-tiino needs. The board elects a chairman from its own members, who include Hugh D. Scully, Ottawa, steel controller; G. C. Bateman, Toronto, controller of metals production : and H. B. M‘Millan, Vancouver, timber controller. POWERS OF CONTROLLER. To the controllers are delegated some of the wide powers conferred on the Minister of Munitions and Supply, Hon. 0. D. Howe, to restrict and regulate certain essential commodities. Typical of the powers vested in a controller are those given H. R. MacMillan, exporter and timber operator, Vancouver, who served tho Government in , connection with timber supply matters in the first groat war. Ho may buy, take possession of, expropriate, or otherwise acquire, process, finish, store, transport, allocate, distribute, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any timber. He may enter on any land to inspect or take timber, take and use any buildings, plants, locomotives, or animals for the felling,, processing, or transportation of timber. The fixing of maximum prices and maximum markups at which any timber shall be sold or offered for sale, for purposes other than fuel, fall within the scope of tho control board. Timber Controller MacMillan may limit tho quantity of any type of timber which may bo sold to or by any person or finfi, order any person or firm to deliver timber to one party in priority to another, set up a system of licensing for dealers in timber and those engaged in cutting, felling, processing, transporting, or exporting timber. Where tho timber controller takes possession of timber or other property the price to bo paid for timber shall be such as is fixed by himself, and for other property on one fixed by the Exchequer Court. The Order in Council setting up tho controllerships authorises payment to the timber controller of such working capital as may bo required to enable him to carry out his powers. Mr MacMillan recently made a survey of lumber mills in Ontario, Quebec, and the maritimes to i increase the production.