FORESTS AND FORESTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1923, Page 2

FORESTS AND FORESTRY

FURTHER NOTES ON THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT. NO XVIII. “And can you. by no drift of circumstances, Get from him why he puts on this confusion —As You Like It. Dealing with “Trade-Extension" the annual Forest Service report stresses the fact that “large quantities of imported timber are being used in the Dominon not only tor specialised work where no native wood is commonly available, but also in competition with such famous timbers a-- rutin, etc. Why'r" The report then goes on to shew that this state of affairs is due to a lack of attention given to manufacturing ami seasoning on the part of

“local sawmillcrs,’’ and states that foreign producers by belter attention can oust the local sawmiiler. it further states that “It is commonly supposed that this is possible only by the employment of sweated and Asiatic labour. This is a popular mistake. The conditions of sawmill labour in Canada. United States of America, and the Baltic, compare very favourably with those in New Zealand." '1 tiis, according to a recent article in the “Evening Host." is contrary to the evidence tendered to the Tariff Commission by witnesses who were in a position to state tacts, when it was proved that Labour conditions in the mills where our imported Oregon timber conies from are interior to those in New Zealand.

At this stage of the report, the Forest Service throws a sop to the New Zealand sawmiiler, applauding his endeavour “to stimulate the use of haver grades by price-reduction,” hut it immediately repents having been so weak as to give its clients any hope or encouragement, and so the report slate* that - - l.inv grades will never lie attrac tive at any price unless there K real value in the product.” ’I lie suggestion that “low grades require the most careful manufacture and seasoning—infinitely more so than the high grades.” appears to us as absurd; because such timber only goes into use* where seasoning etc., Mould not enhance its value one iota. We are told that “Wood for practically any purp. ;se may he supplied from the New Zealand forests.” .Much as wc-n-oulil like to think that such is the case we know, and so does the Forest Service. that is drawing the long how. when taking power-poles, or bridge and wharf timbers into account. 1 lie 10port states that “While it is oiten possible to persuade consumers to consider the substitution of imported timber by local Moods, it is usually found that no stocks of seasoned material are available.” This is pure romancing—mere\y pulling tile how ;i little further, urn! it's remarkable how elastic it is in the hands ol the Forest Service. “The Forest Service is agreed on the principle that it, is the natural economic function of the saM-miller to tlioiouglily dry timber for use.” Hie foregoing is rather a complex sentence, itui confusion surely abounds therein. M•• Mere not previously aware that millers were naturally endowed mth any such remarkable powers; am l me left wondering how the process may he accomplished. It is •.toy doubtful though, whether a sawmillei, as such, can perform any natural functions. It is equally doubtful il Nature even intended trees to he sawn into timber. Then again, does Nature conform to principles—particularly such as “the Forest, Service has agreed on, ’ or arc principles merely evolved Iro the knowledge of natural phenomena; Still, if the Forest Service has gi\cu its mandate, then we suppose Nature must submit to the principle agreed on. whether she likes it or not. and the sawmillcrs’ “natural economic iuuction” will he to thoroughly dry the timber. 'Hie poor sawmiiler again! 11l spite of the dictum of the Service, ami at the risk of throwing Nature out ol joint, we venture to suggest that it is more the function of the timber merchants economically considered, to season timber ; and if seems to us pci tincut, just here, to ask whether the tenures ottered by the Service are such as to induce or enable sav.millers to hold stocks of seasoned timber: Ami tiiaf is a very pertinent query in the lightof the Forest policy in tins country. While on the subject of seasoning, it would he interesting to learn "hat seasoning is given to all the hardwood sleepers, power-poles, wharf and bridge timber, which, alter all. forms the chief item in limhei exportations. TA hat seasoning tines Oregon rough timboi ieceive, that is in any degree superior to that *:ivt‘n to mu* rinui.** 'There is much in this part of the report that is calculated to make the “local sawmiiler” sit up and take notice: and to that extent it may he productive of good. The tone pervading the article on “Trade-extension” seems to us, however, to he tinged withshall we call it—faint praise for the “local sawmiiler.”