THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 210, 9 October 1909, Page 5

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

THE COMMISSION'S EEPORT. IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The report of the Timber Commission was laid 011 the table 01 the House this afternoon. Although the mope of the Commission only permitted evidence to be taken in Auckland, Taihapc. Wellington, (Jreymouth, Christcliurch, Dune din and Invereargill, it was deemed advisable to inspect the sawmills and forests in the principal milling districts. Every effort was made to see all phases o£ the,industry, and through the willing co-operation of sawmillers in every district and the efforts of all interested in the industry to afford all necessary information, the Commission was enabled to form a fairly full and correct idea of the present position. The Commission travelled 3125 miles, and 154 witnesses, all specially interested in th--: Hntber industry, were examined on oath. COST OF PRODUCTION. Tlie Commission found in many instances in the sawmilling districts the wages paid were in excess of those prescribed by the Arbitration Court. In respect of felling, the Commission confidently report that although the cost ot felling trees and delivering logs at mills varies considerably in different districts, it cannot he considered unreasonable. The cost of 'cutting is also not unreasonable, but the Commission consider that in many eases a reduction of cost could be brought about and much waste timber in cutting be prevented by the adontion of more modern machinery, better methods and more economical* working in bringing it to and dealing with it at the mill.

THE PRICES CHARGED. The Commission came to the conclusion that the average prices now obtaining for the bulk of the timber were n«j unreasonable, though in certain localities the evidence showed that attempts had been made to unduly raise airl maintain tlie price of timber by combination among millers and middlemen, and not in the public interest, as far as price when sold by the middleman to tlie consumer and retailer was concerned. In certain districts, the charges for long lengths were unduly high.

CHEAPER RAILWAY FREIGHTS. The Commission recommend that sawn timber be carried on the railways at the lowest payable rate, and are of opinion that the whole of the tariff on timber requires re consideration. The areas of Crown land held for sawmilling purposes under the Land Act and State Forest Act is 151,000 acres, under 255 licenses. In this connection Jhey recommended that the royalty through the Dominion be uniformly charged in log measurement, as in eo doing it would tend to the prevention of waste in dealing with native forests, and encourage the erection of a better elagii of mills. Sawmilling areas should be allotted to each mill and fixed on a quantity basis. Under past and present regulation* the waste timber in gawniiUing operations was very apparent in some of the forests visited. It was felt the time had now arrived when stricter regulations should he framed -and enforced in regard to the felling and nulling of timber on Crown lands. The total area of Crown lands still available for milling purposes is 4.042,280 acres. COIIPETITION' OF OREGON. On the question of the extent to which Oregon timber is imported and it? effect on local timber and building in- 1 dustries, the Commission state that the sudden and enormous increase in importations of Oregon is shown by the fact that in 1007 270,000 sup. feet came 'n while in 1008 and the first four month* of 1000 about, 21 million feet came int"» th? country. The Commission came to the conclusion that the effect of importation of Oregon pine on the timber- ' building industries had been of a bemv 1 ficial character and in the interests of the public in meeting the requirements of the building trade, as it furnished a ready supply of timber lor building purposes of a class which otherwise would have been difficult to obtain in suitable i sizes and length*. It was noted, how- ! ever, that this importation helped to in- ' tensify the recent depression.. i PROPOSED NEW DUTY.

In vh'w.of the lajge quantity of Oiegon used for other purposes than joists ami long, beams, the Commission recommended that a duty of 3s per hundred superficial feet be imposed on sizes under 12 bv 2, or the equivalent in any lengths; other sizes,.under 25 feet in length, to remain as at present, subject to a duty of 2s per hundred; lengths from 25 to 37 feet to be reduced to a duty of Is per hundred: lengths abow 35 feet to be admitted five. In reference to the landed cost of Oregon timber. the cost at Auckland was lis 9d. at ! Wellington 7s 5d to lis, at Dunedin and Lyttelton lis Gd. ADVERTISING OUR OWN TIMBER.

Dealing generally with the who'e question th;» Commission state that it was not sulliciently known that the Dominion was well supplied with cabinetmaking wood of good quality. As it was desirable that something should be don.» to encourage a greater consumption of native timber, the Commission recommended that a complete and re liable handbook on native timbers should be issued by the Government, with particulars as to characteristics, strength, durability,"and its various uses. The Commission are of opinion that consideration should be given to the question of admitting duty free such sizes .and descriptions of Australian hardwoods as are factually necessary in the Dominion and the importation of which would not materially affect our own industry.

PRESENT POSITION" OF THE INDUSTRY.

■The sawmilling industry is not considered satisfactory at the present time, owing to the local financial stringency and over-production. Tt is suggested that the Government should make more extensive use of native timber in publ.-c worke. PRESERVATION OF FORESTS. More consideration requires to be given to the preservation of forests in rough country and mountain sideg, particularly within the watersheds of rivcis liable to periodical flood. Increased attention .should be given to the preservation of forests on high lands and heads of watersheds. The Commission urge that provision Xo. 9 of the new forest regulations, lating to fires, be widely advertised. It is considered desirable that stricter pr>vision be exercised over the conditiors applicable to the preservation of timber on lands leased from the Crown. PROVIDING FOR T!TE FUTURE. The Commission approve of .setting apart certain forest areas for future requirements of the State and recommend that the policy be extended so far to make adequate provision for public works. The Commission recommend woolpulping to the consideration of the Government. THE FORESTRY P,RANCH. 1 After inspecting the methods in opera-1 tion in the Forestry Branch, the Com- ! mission are of opinion that they are economical and efficient, tending to practical results, and think that afforestation should be vigorously prosecuted on poor lands unfitted for .settlement but adapted to tree-planting and that this be commenced and carried on over extensive sand lands and wastes on the West Coast of the North Island. The policy of supplying settlers with tree plant? ought to be continued.