THE TIMBER TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1921, Page 2

THE TIMBER TRADE.

SERIOUS CONDITIONS. ; OUTLOOK NOT PROMISING. 1 At the meeting of the Westland Brandi of the Canterbury Progress League last night, a discussion which turned on the present condition of the timber trade in Westland indicated that the district was on the eve of serious industrial stagnation owing to the want J of orders, and that in point of fact, the general outlook for the trades was fat from promising. Mr W. J. Butler, of Butler Bros, Ltd., Riiatapu, and Stuart and Chapman Ltd, Ross, indicated in the course of his remarks how serious the outlook was. The matter arose out ot a discussion on the following motion, which was moved by Mr W. J. Butler: "That in view of the appalling . social conditions existing in (. hristchuich owing to the shortage of bousing accommodation, as disclosed by t-lie deputation from Ladies’ Social Welfare Guild which waited on the Canterbury Members of Parliament Committee' oil the 6th inst, and in view of the increasing unemployment in the timber industry on the Coast, the executive of the League be asked to urge upon the Board of Trade the advisability of making some- pronouncement respecting the prospects of any Huetuation in the price ot timber, as disclosed by their recent investigations of cost of production on the West Coast; and that this Committee further considers that the Board of Trade should be asked to either exercise its powers in readjusting prices of timber, if such are unwarrantably high, or make such pronouneament as would assure prospective builders that some stability of the value of houses may be counted

upon. In moving the motion, Mr Butlci referred first to the existing social conditions in Christchurch, where families v, are crowded in dwellings in a most unseemlv manner. Several shocking instances brought to light were mentioned. Passing on, Mr Butler said there was a belief 'cutrent, that the prices of timber Mould fall, and that consequently builders were reluctant to go on building, and constructional work was suspended waiting for the prices to fall. This stagnation was being reflected on the sa'.’.’milling industry, which was being rapidly idled, and under present circumstances the outlook was not very hopeful- What was required was a definite statement by,the Board of trade as to the probable stability or otherwise „f timber prices, and from that the people of the Dominion could see where they stood in the matter of timber supplies The industrial position liete now, through the stoppage of orders, bad, but actually, said Mr Butler, In concl’-tsion. “we are only St the ke.inning of a'very severe situation—toe intensity of which will soon manifest itself more and more.” Mr Breeze seconded the motion, and said it was the duty of the local bodies to do all they could to make the P"«: •ion plain to the people so that he gravity of the situation would be fullj understood. , Ml' Wild asked if the millers had done anything in the matter and in re lv Air Butler explained they had taken steps to assure the Canterbury builders that prices would be stabilised and were any reduction in price to take place within a give,! period the builders would get the benefit of the change. The effect of this offer on the trade, however, had been negligible. , ,• Mr Jeffries reviewed the terms, ot the motion of which he approved. ' said he had read of the disclosures in ' Christchurch in regard to the lack of housing and the conditions were certain. l v shocking. It was regretted with so much building urgently necessary across the ranges to provide habitations for the people, the mills here were idling for the want of orders. The unemployment question was beginning to be felt keenly here, and if the stagnation continued, the position could go only from had to worse. The resolution should be passed on the proper authorities, and a public policy insisted upon to relieve the situation as a matter of urgency. •Mr Cn.rlev stated many men were now out of employment. Mr Butler further stated that some few * weeks ago the Greymoutli-Hoki-tika Sawmillers Association had agreed to pool orders with a view of keeping as many mills going as possible. That scheme however, hardly met the case, ns some firms were shipping prospectively without orders.. They then agreed for the month of August to allot the amount of shipping space in proportion to tho normal output of the mills. This space was allocated on the July orders, and it was found that that meant’only 25 per cent of the normal output before the present stringency arose. Mr Jeffries: “If that continues it will be very serious for the Coast.” Mr Butler said the last month’s wages at Ruatupu were £l,lOO and if 75 tier cent were deducted from that there would be a very considerable reduction in the amount of money in circulation. Mr Pilkington pointed out that in relation to building operations, the timber was not the only factor to bo considered. Probably the possible fall in other building material was a factor also in holding up enterprise in building. In closing the discussion, Mr Butsaid the Board of Trade filled a certain function in the past in price-fixing. There was not the need for that now for the supply generally had overtaken the demand. But there was a field of action for the Board in an endeavour to stimulate trade and in giving information Which would assist to create industry by bringing the consumer and producer more closely together where possible, and so helping to create resultant business. The motion was carried unanimous-