Parliament

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 October 1915, Page 3

Parliament

e In tne llousc of Representatives hist nook .Mr lalbol 1.1 eiixulia) asked the i'rinie -Minister, "V\ hothor iic aware oi a movement to form a saw millers' rin<j, with the object ul rising the price < t timber from la (3d to 2s (id per 100 l'eet, and, it 60, are there any steps that the Government can take to prevent this in the interests ul builders and those about to build? ''.Note.—The price of metals over which ne hare no control, lias gone up owing to the war,, and the rumoured rise in timber will further hamper the building trade, 'it is not many years since timber was only -Is (id. per 100 it., at the mill, and this price lias been steadily increased to lie Gd per 100 ft , lor rough red-pine. 'lhe bulk of the forests are public property, the timber is being cu>t on royalty, and builders and others are anxious to know if the Government. in view of this, can do something to prevent the rumoured steps being taken. 'J'lie Itiglit Hon -Mr Massey (Prime Minister) replied, >' evidence of the forma ton oF a ring in restraint of fair trading in timber is (submitted to the Government, the matter will be dealt with in the Commercial Trusts Act Amendment T3iTl now being prepared. -sj. a'twwaaMawßacaMi