C—3a

Two New Zealand companies have adopted integration as fundamental to their utilization programmes, one by combining sawmilling and boxmaking with insulating and hard board manufacture, and the other by combining sawmilling with paper-board production. Both plan further extension to their integration policies. Likewise the New Zealand Forest Service has planned an integrated sawmill and pulp and paper plant.. Wherever practicable, integrated plants should use waste from adjacent small plants. " That special attention should be given to the grading of timber in order to ensure to each product its appropriate use." The grading of timber has received very special attention in New Zealand with the view to stimulating domestic and export demands for the exotic coniferous timbers now being sawn in considerable quantities, and also the relatively little-used indigenous hardwoods. In this connection the operation of price control, based on costs of production rather than the true intrinsic values of various grades and species, has prevented the full achievement of this objective in New Zealand. 78. " That scientific research aiming at the utilization of wood waste should be continued and increased from the physical, chemical, mechanical and biological point of view, " That, in order to attain these aims, the laboratories concerned are invited to co-ordinate scientific and technical research and FAO should collect and disseminate information on the result achieved in various countries." D. Preservation of Wood 81. " The Congress recognizes " The importance of wood preservation in reducing wastage caused by deterioration during storage and use, thus also making increased quantities of timber available, " That woods which are otherwise difficult to impregnate may be satisfactorily treated by the application of high pressure, and " The importance of boric acid in treating sap wood of broad-leaved species in order to prevent attack by lyctus, and 82. " The importance of structural design and the fire-proofing of timber in reducing the risks of fire." The question of increasing facilities for wood preservation in New Zealand is now receiving active consideration from both industry and Government because of the gradual and inevitable change from the use of the naturally durable but diminishing indigenous timbers to generally non-durable exotic species. As the use of exotic timbers increases, wood preservation must of necessity be undertaken on an increasing scale. The importance of boric acid and borax in treating sapwood of broad-leaved trees against borer attack is now generally appreciated in New Zealand and a number of plants for this purpose are expected to come into operation in 1950. Because of the large field covered by wood preservation, it is impractical for New Zealand to undertake extensive and fundamental research thereon ; to remain abreast of progress in this rapidly changing field periodic visits overseas by specialist officers would be most appropriate. E. Prefabricated Wooden Houses 83. " The Congress recognizes " The importance of prefabricated wooden houses in meeting the presenthousing emergency by providing a rapid means of erection and in circumventing the shortage of skilled labour which would be necessary for the construction of houses, according to more orthodox methods,

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