TIMBER TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1931, Page 2

TIMBER TRADE

REDUCTION OF PRICES. lIAA HILTON, ..March. 27. The reasons for the 20 per cent, cut in the price of timber, by the North Island Saw-millers Timber Trading Company, to which 39 mills arc federated, are given as follows: (1) To dear the heavy stocks accumulated. (2) To keep the few hands employed in the industry. (3) To stimulate, trade. Normally about 10.000 hands are employed in the industry but it is doubtful if one quarter of that number is now employed. It is certain that a number of mills cannot continue producing, with the heavy losses entailed, as the declining demand has strained their resources. Thirty million feet ot timber are held in the North Island at present, last month's decrease of two and three-quarter million feet representing £31,000 decline on the corresponding month of last year. The mill hands at present are working three' days per week, with barely a man’s subsistence.

NORTHERN VIEWS. IMPETUS TO.BUILDING TRADE, AUCKLAND, March 27. While the decision of the Dominion Federated Saw millers Association to reduce the prices of timber hv substantial margins is not likely To give relief to the unemployed in the industry it is confidently, felt that it will tend to encourage building operations. here. In a moderately sized modern house there is between £203 ■and £3OO worth of timber and the cut proposed by the Saw-millers’ Association. would mean savings in timber costs for home building of from £4O to £SO. With this decline there should be a tendency on the part of the-con-trollers of finance to make advances more freelv to the many desirous of acquiring houses.