TIMBER COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 92, 14 May 1909, Page 2

TIMBER COMMISSION.

AUCKLAND EVIDENCE CLOSED. By Telegraph,—Presa Association. Auckland, Last Night. (The Timber Coimntasion concluded taking evidence in Auckland to-day. T. H. White, mill manager for the Kauri Timber Company, largely corroborating the statements of the secretary of the company, said it was quite untrue that Mie high price of kauri meant large profits for the miller. The high price was due to the heavy charges on the raw material. There was no ring in the industry. As' a kauri-miller he was not particularly interested in the Oregon question, but looking at tho situation from the workers' point of view, he was decidedly of opinion that"!hi l import tax should he increased. It stood to reason that every million feet of foreign timber which came in displaced an equal quantity of local timber and kept men out of employment. Rimu was far better than Oregon pine. It would not be practical to conserve tho kauri bush. He was entirely opposed to an export tax on kauri, for such a tax could not possibly benefit anybody. He was j strongly of opinion that re-afl'ores'tation should be pushed on vigorously, T. Mahoney, architect, said that between 1901 and 1907 the price of timber had gone up 30 to 35 per cent... and of joinvry 20 to 40 per cent. A cottage which he built in 1903 cost 12200. He wished to build a similar cottage recently and (he lowest tender he could get was £338, an increase of £7B. He considered Oregon pine a thoroughly satisfactory timber for building purTie knew of houses, built 'of Oregon .pine forty or fifty years ago, which were as good now as ever they were, E. Bar!ley, architect, gave evidence to the effect that it was' very desirable to import Oregon pine. Local timber was not properly seasoned. Auckland. Last Night. The members of tho Commission will proceed to-morrow to the Rotorua district. where they will inspect Hie Government nurseries nnd tree-planting stations, then proceeding to Wellington.