MILLING COSTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 August 1939, Page 8

MILLING COSTS

ROYALTIES & PETROL TAX LIKELY TO MEAN DEARER TIMBER. COMPLAINTS ON WEST COAST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.' ' GREYMOUTH, This Day. Sawmlilers on the West Coast are apprehensive regarding the effect of continually rising costs on timber prices. It is heard in some quarters that soon it will be necessary to pass the increases on to consumers. On recent appraisements the State Forest Department has increased timber royalties by 3d to 4d. Such rises have been gradual for a considerable time past and royalties have now reached 2s 9d per 100 feet of white pine, and Is lOd per 100 feet of rimu. In addition the increased petrol taxation means greatly increased costs for millers, who are big users of petrol, both in the mills and in the transport of sawn timber. One West Coast company, operating four mills, used 38,672 gallons for the year ended on June 30 last. The increased tax on a similar amount this year will mean over £644, or £l2 weekly and this on top of the recent 10 per cent rise in railway freights and 5 per cent rise in tyre prices. , • •