THE TIMBER COMMISSION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3150, 30 March 1909, Page 5

THE TIMBER COMMISSION.

A SAWMILLER'S VIEWS ON OREGON PINE. By Telegraph—Press Association. INVERCARGILL, March 29. Giving evidence before the Timber Commission, Mr Massey, sawmiller, said he was inclined to think j;hat Oregon timber had come to stay, which would probably be good for the country, but not for the sawmilleya. There were exceptional reasons why Oregon was so cheap, including the rate war in the States. Later. The Timber Commission sat all day hearing four witnesses. Mr W. H. Brent, sawmiller, and President af.the Sawmillers' Association, said he thought the importatoin of Oregon pine should be retarded, and suggested a lighter duty on heavy timber, because it was such as could not be produced in the Dominion, and was wanted for building. A heavy duty should be placed on lighter timber. The Government could greatly relieve the sawmillers by extending the bush areas, that could be held, so that mills were assured of a longer life. Millers could then sdopt improved methods by which the cost of production would be lowered. During recent years the increased cost of timber for houses was only about Is per hundred feet, and he would be astonished to hear such a slight increase had caused capitalists to refrain from investing money in house building. Mr Andrew Bain, President of the Builders' Association, stated that the rise in the price of timber made a difference at least of £SO or <£6o in the cost of a four or five-roomed cotage. The price tor rough rimu had risen during the last twenty years from 3s 9d to 10s 6d per 10U feet. Builders stoutly opposed any increased duty 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 red pine that was not green. He contedded that the Sawmillers' Association had been formed to raise p'rices and had done so.