TIMBER COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 98, 22 May 1909, Page 2

TIMBER COMMISSION.

THE WELUXOTOX SITTINGS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington,' May 21

At a sitting of the Timber Commission to-day, Andrew Quinlan, sawmiller, of Xireiiha, said he had been in business since 1573. lie did not know of more widespread depre-siun in'(lie timber business than at present. If it continued, the mills would have 10 c!o,c oowii. iff did not believe in export duties on timber. Much of the depression was due to the bursting of the land I n. He could not say the public has benefited by the iiii|>ortat : ou of Oregon pine. Ther L . was a mysterious going-on in reference to Oregon. Mr. Arnold: Do you think there is some understanding between the merchants, architects, and engineers with reference to the specifications of Oregon? ■Witness: I have a very strong suspicion that way. There is'a mystery at work somewhere—something secret* Wellington, last Xight. John Anderson, sawmiller. of Masterton, said Oregon had detrimentally affected the timber industry. He advocated a duty of 5s on Oregon. nj s m i|| was now closed, 17 men being out of work. The position was serious. If if continued for six months the smaller mills must go to the wall. W. 11. Bennett,builder and contractor, Wellington, representing the executive of the New Zealand Federated Builders' Association, said that owing to delay and difficulty in obtaining the native article for roofing and joist ing. it was absolutely necessary that Oregon should be admitted free of duty. Oregon had the advantage over local' timbers, as it did not take the borer. Kauri had become almost unobtainable in Wellington. A few lengths the other day cost him 37s fid per IflOft. as against ills fid in Sydney. Outsiders were gc(lin« our timber cheaper than those in the Dominion. An increased export duty should be placed on kauri. .The real cause of the millers' trouble was the slackness of trade and tightness in the monev market. The.importation of Oregon had not affected the building trade very much. Oregon was not suitable for outside building. Verbal threats had been made by merchants that if builders purchased direct from the millers they would be allowed only 2«,<, per cent, inlead of ,i/, per cent. .Two pers"o„ s had bad their names removed from the discount list on this account. The cost of building at present was too hi»h for faioi the establishment of a State sawV,'": ./' tl ", n ?f l ,ei "S «'iual. be favored slocked here to fill » , 01 W| . f Umber supplies. s0 far as prices were oncerned wen. not on a satisfactory "■'» i». the Government should take ton wanted the duty „,, Oregon abcS,-