THE TIMBER COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 55, 30 March 1909, Page 2

THE TIMBER COMMISSION.

OUKOON PINK. illy Telegrapli.—Press Association. Invercargill, Monday, (living evidence before lh' Timber Cuinniis-ion, Mr. Masscy. sawmiller. -aid lie wa- inclined to think that Oregon had come I" .-lay. Tliiis would probably be good for the country, but mil for the sawinillers. There were exceptional reason- why Oregon was so cheap, one being the rate war in the United States.

Invercargill, Last N'ighl The Timber Commission sat all day, hearing four witnesses. \V. 11. Brent, sawmiller, and prcsiile-al of the Sawmiller.-' Association, thought the importation of Oregon should be retarded and suggested a lighter duly on heavy timber, lieeaiise such could not be produced in the colony and was wanted for buildings. A heavy duty should be placed on lighter timber.' The (iovernment could greatly relieve sawmillers by extending bush areas that could b,. held, so that mills would be as-iirc,l „f a local life. Millers could then adopt improved methods by which the cost of pr., luetion would lie lowered. During re o:l years] the increased co-t of timber for a house was only about Is a hundred feel, and he would be astonished to hear that such a slight increase caused capitalists to refrain from investing moiiev in housebuilding. Andrew llain, president of the Panders' Association, stated that the rise in the price of timber made a difference, of at least .Call or CfiO in the cost of a four or five-roomed eottag.e The price for rough riinu has risen during the last 20 years from 3s Oil to 10s 8d per 1(10 find! Builders stoutly opposed any increased duly on Oregon, because it, was necessary, being lighter and more durable than red pine, and because builders got it seasoned, and it was impossible to get |-cd pine not green. He contended that the Sawmillers' Association had hern formed to raise prices ami had done so.