Notes.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 2, 1 October 1918, Page 337

Notes.

We understand quite a number of millers have not yet sent in their returns to the Board of Trade, which are required to be furnished under the new timber regulations, and as this is bound to delay the work of the Board and the Timber Industry Committee they are strongly urged to fill in and return the schedule without delay. * * # * The Board of Trade has invited the Federation to nominate four members from the North and two from the South Island comprise the sawmillers’ section of the Timber Industry Committee, whose names in turn will be submitted by it to the Minister in charge for his approval. This, in our opinion, is only a fitting recognition of the work the Federation has put in to assist the Board and the Government in formulating a scheme for the regulation of the industry. Much time and thought has been freely given by the Executive and especially by the President towards the initiatory work necessary to be done, and whether they recognise it or not nonassociated millers are under a deep obligation to the Federation. « * # # Apropos of the shipping problem, a remarkable incident has come to our notice in connection with a vessel loaded with oils and benzine for Wellington and Melbourne. Arrangements had been made to put on board a million feet of pine and rimu, principally the latter—on the discharge of the Wellington cargo, but cable advice has been received from the owners on the Pacific coast that the vessel must proceed to Melbourne with her part cargo, or, if necessary, she must take in sufficient ballast to stiffen her. No doubt the Shipping Board of Control in the U.S. have reasons of their own for such a course of action, but seeing the freight on a million feet would run into £4,000 from Wellington to Melbourne, the decision seems inexplicable if not ludicrous. * # * * Germany has shown great foresight in the preservation of her forests, which cover one-fourth of the area of that country—and employ thousands of people in their working and development. They also supply raw materials for many industries and pay 4 per cent, on the capital expenditure, after providing for all expenses. From examples such as this it would appear the Government of N.Z. are going on right lines in introducing a policy of re-afforesta-tion, but the practical working out of the scheme

will require most careful handling if the country is to derive a lasting benefit from the measure. Unless it can be clearly shown to the contrary one would think that the planting of quick growing Pacific Coast and other firs would give the most speedy return. * * * * The question of re-afforestation is now being seriously discussed in America, and an agitation is going on to introduce legislation for the purpose of carrying it out. Enormous tracts of bush country have been denuded on the Pacific' Coast, and notwithstanding the general impression that the forest country is practically illimitable, unless some such step is taken in the direction indicated, it can only become a matter of time when restriction of export and conservation for home needs will be applied there. V V V We are indebted to Mr. Nankervis (Messrs. Gam man and Co., Ohakune) for an article on the “Cost of Production,” which will appear in the “Journal” as opportunity, affords, and comments thereon will be welcome, as it is only by discussion and elaboration of points of view as they occur to others that the best results can be obtained. This is a matter of the utmost importance to all sawmillers, and although the cost of production would probably not be the same in any two instances, if a standard system were adopted it would go a long way towards placing the industry on a thoroughly sound commercial basis. * * a * ASSOCIATE, CO-OPERATE. - (By Pippin." Whether one reads New Zealand, Australian, American, or other literature on the fruit industry, one sees an insistence on two needs—association, cooperation. Hence these verses:— If you would like a profit rate To keep your home in decent state, Associate. If you would like to dodge the fate Which smites the foolish, soon or late, Co-operate. To scare the wolf from orchard gate, And free yourself from care’s black weight, Associate, Don’t dubiate, don’t hesitate, Don’t stupidly procrastinate; Co-operate. Associate, co-operate, And keep your system up-to-date. Co-operate, associate, The time has passed for dull debate: Associate, co-operate. If we alter “fruit” to “timber” industry there is a salutary lesson in the above lines that might well be laid to heart by those who think they can play a lone-hand with advantage to themselves. W. T. I.