THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 February 1918, Page 6

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Representatives of the Auckland saw-milling companies on Monday stated that the building trade, as far as the erection of private residences was concerned, was pratcically at a standstill, and, as the cost of housebuilding had increased by nearly 100 per cent, since the outbreak of the war there was little likelihood of any improvement until after the war. Meanwhile, the trade was being kept going by the erection of buildings, business premises and freezing works. The timber industry of the Dominion it was stated, had received a severe check as a rjesult of the war, both in respect to the sale of building timber, and also in the output of milling timber from the bush districts. The majority of bush workers had either volunteered or been called up in the ballot, and there was a great, scarcity of suitable labour for timber-getting. Hopes are entertained that at the conclusion of the war there will be a great demand for New Zealand timber, both locally and from overseas, and if suitable shipping is then available, the mills alfd bushes throughout the country- should experience a very busy time.