The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1922. THE TIMBER ASPECT.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1922. THE TIMBER ASPECT.

Jn di§cusjsing the question t>f labour 1 unemployment, tfce : «Hntije Ga*'

y.i'tte in a late issue turns some attention to the matter as affected by the timber supply and goes on to sav that if there is one thing that this country wants more than another it is an increase in the number of bouses available for the people; that fact is universally admitted. Thousands °i children who have lived with their patents and now desire to make homes for themselves are unable to obtain tne shelter of a roof. We agree with Air Holland the leader of the Labour Party in Parliament, that be lore immigrants for New Zealand are allowed to leave England, there should lie some guarantee that upon arrival they would at least have a reasonably comfortable habitation awaiting them. Each of the New Zealand larger cities need at least one thousand houses erected within the next twelvemonths. Timber for building purposes is the first requisite, the cessation of all Government interference is the second, but apart irom the paralysing effect of bcaiireaucratic intrusion. why is it that houses ate not being built, particularly tit a time like this, when owing to money not being required for business purposes*, stocks, shares and debentures are being inquired for. The answer is simple, it is economically unprofitable to ei'det houses owing to the high price asked for material and labour. We have a seeming paradox, while house building timber is badly wanted, sawmills all over the country are closing down for lack of orders. The price of milling limber lias advanced by more than 100 per cent over pre-war rates. W e were shown a timber merchant’s account the other day in which Bxß posts were charged at the rato of 62s 6d per 100 superficial feet, and ordinary .scantling 31s bd. The timber iiieichants say they cannot sell for less as the price is high, simply because labour all along the line is taking a very heavy toll. The workmen at the mills, those upon the railways and steamers, the wharf labourers, the carters and the yardmen, have had their wages so raised by Court awards that those who want timber now must be prepared to pay for it. But the result is unemployment. The public cannot, and will not, pay the price asked for erecting houses, so timber, although urgently required is not bought, and the men at the mills are out of work.