THE TIMBER TRADE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 595, 28 July 1933, Page 3

THE TIMBER TRADE

When the saws are turning in the timber mill everybody is busy, for the timber industry is one which employs thousands. That is why it is important that during these times of low costs and cheap prices for land it is not only for self-service but nationalservice that those who are in a position to do so should undertake building operations. One .of the biggest timber cutting firms in this district is the Rotoiti Timber Co., Ltd., whose mills at Mourea and Ngongotaha employ many men, such as bushmen, sawyers, drivers, lorry men, etc., and the products of their mills contribute a great deal to the revenue of the New Zealand Railways. The money spent in wages amongst their men provides currency circulation amongst the different business people of Rotorua, and has a valuable effect in stimulating commerce and trade in the district. Fortunately some of the leading Rotorua builders realise the importance of using Rotoiti timber in their contracts as thereby they are able to get the finest seasoned timber at the very lowest prices. It is not generally known that the sawmilling industry for many years ranked next to agriculture as being the largest employer of labour in this Dominion, but this industry is one that has suffered very severely through. the effects of the slump. Therefore the subsidy which is now offered by the Uhemployment Board — if it is taken full benefit of by builders — will be stimulating one of the key industries of the country, and will give it a chance of prosperity which will enable many of the allied industries such as building, plumbing, electrical work, painting, etc., etc., to get back to normal and employ men at standard rates of pay, which assuredly must be one of the surest means of restoring prosperity.

The painting question is a serious one in Rotorua and one which should be approached with the utmost care by the uninitiated, said Mr. T. Bridge, the well-known painting and decorating contractor when approached on the matter. The atmospherics in Rotorua play havoc with improperly prepared paint and unless any painting work is done by a thorough-going tradesman it will have to be done over again before many' months have elapsed. Mr. Bridge has had many years of experience with Rotorua conditions and understands thoroughly the requirements of every part of the borough. All buildings should receive attention at least once every f ew years and neglect or false economy invariably brings greater expense to repair the damage and decay. "Painting will never be cheaper," concludes Mr. Bridge, "and people have only to realise this to take advantage of the depression while they chn, and incidentally at the same time help to change the depression to prosperity."