DEARER HOUSES

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1920, Page 1

DEARER HOUSES

INCREASE IN PRICE OF BUILDING TIMBER.

'Hie price of building and other timbers has been advanced. Air W. J. Butler, president of the New Zealand Sawmillers’ Association, when asked by the Wellington “Post” on Saturday, for ‘reasons for the advance, said that the Federated Sawmillers so far back as November, 1918, undertook not to raise the prices of timber pending an adjustment by the Board of Trade. No advance was made, but in the meantime substantial advances were made in the cost of production, and this included labour, stores, materials, and other incidentals. The position ' was then repeatedly brought before the Board of Trade, but no advance was, made in the prices. Ultimately, before granting the increases asked for, the Board decided to obtain definite' information from, each of the sawmilling districts, as to the increased price of production. This was duly furnished to the Board, and by it submitted to its advisory accountants for checking. The request for advances as made by the millers was not fully granted by the Board, which was guided chiefly by the evidence submitted of increased cost of production rather than by the request by millers for an advance and the Board considers the rise justified. In order to give some idea of the rise in prices it may lie stated that ordinary building rimu is advanced Is 6d per 100 feet, and heart rimu 2s per 100 feet. This is equivalent to a loss than 10 per cent, increase in the selling price at the mill.'.

Air Butler pointed out that m infinitely better price for the timber could be obtained by exporting to Australia. The effect of the advance, however, would be to retain more timber : n New Zealand, and, further, the enhanced price will lead to the opening rp of fresh source's of supply that have hith. erto been financially impracticable. Bush that could not he worked at former prices will not become workable, and at the present time it is most desirable that fresh sources of cupplv should be opened.