SAWMILLING SECTION.

Progress, Volume XV, Issue 7, 1 March 1920, Page 744

SAWMILLING SECTION.

After long negotiation the Board of Trade has approved an increase of 1/- on £in., 1/6 on all 0.8. timbers, and 2/- on all, heart timbers as shown on the various sawmillers’ lists handed in to the Board and recognised by it. The rise .has been approved after careful investigation into the increased cost of production since November, 1918, and represents about 10 per cent, advance on the rates ruling then for delivery “on truck’.’ at mill or f.o.b. Greymouth. Sawmillers thought they were entitled to something more than this, but they have accepted .the Board’s decision with the best grace possible for the present. Every effort is being made to satisfy local demands, and it stands to reason the more nearly the local price equals that for export, the less likely is the sawmiller to seek a r more profitable market overseas up to his limitation of export rights. A fairlocal price to a miller not too favourably situated as to facility of production will also have the effect of increasing the output overhead, and so assist to satisfy the unlimited demand of the present moment. In this issue we reprint a paper by Mr. F. G. Dalziell entitled a “National Policy,” which is based upon the principle of profit-sharing advocated by Mr. H. Yalder under his welfare co-partnership scheme, having special reference to the Government’s timber policy. Mr. Dalziell points out that the true national aim is individual self-development, and it is a truism that the best nation must be made up of happy, healthy, individual human beings, all of whom should contribute in one way or other towards the general well-being of the community. Towards this aim and object efficiency and economy of service are necessary factors in the attainment of the best results. But the difficulty appears to be that each individual, in a greater or . less degree, is imbued with the idea that he must work for his own benefit alone, and he generally overlooks the fact that if all worked for the benefit of the nation or of an industry as a whole, the individuals comprising the nation or engaged in the industry must of necessity be benefited. The fear that by sinking individuality’ and working for the common good would bring nothing but loss is so ingrained in our human nature that most men believe it to-be purely idealistic, and if carried out would result in personal effacement. But if this current of thought could be altered, and each individual gave .of his best in order to obtain the most satisfactory results for the use. of . capital, employers and employees x would all share these, results in recognised proportions,

[This Section is published by arrangement with the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association (Incorp.) in the interests of the Sawmilling Industry of N.Z.] Editor W. T. IRVINE.

strikes such as we have seen practically throughout the world -would become a. thing of the past. Education in the right direction, evolution, and higher ideals must engage men’s minds before we can hope for the improvement we look for, but if peace on earth and goodwill towards men is ever to prevail it is only the idealist' who will assist in bringing these about. . . * * * * The Logging Congress recently held at Portland, Oregon, .furnishes much food for thought, and gives us some indication of what can be effected by educational means, scholarships, and the exchange of views expressed at meetings such as this annually. Amongst the subjects discussed were:— Accident prevention. Eire prevention. Logging with electricity. Standardised boiler construction. Gasolene logging engine. Prolonging life of wire rope. Mechanical felling of timber. Track or tram laying. Logging engineering courses. National forest policy. An interesting paper on the “Relation of Camp Life Conditions. to Logging” was read, in which it is pointed out that the logger represents the human machine in the logging operations, and, compared with the mechanical machine, lie is not given the attention that his share in the operation deserves. And with the eight-Jiour day and the resulting additional leisure time there is a demand for improved living conditions. s # * # * It is estimated that the cost of labour in the lodging industry is about 75 per cent, to-80 per cent.- of the entire cost of logging. Thus the human machine cost represents three-fourths of the cost of operation. With this in mind, compare the attention given the mechanical machine to that given the human machine. Great care is given to the selection of the machinery, and after it is in operation trained mechanics carefully watch 'the working of each machine. Donkeys are oiled and babbited, and with the slightest breakdown repairs ' are rushed and every attention given the machine until it is again ready to operate. Do you give the same care and attention to the human machine when it has some ill or breakdown? When the human machine slows up'a little he is usually invited to leave and a new man given his place. .. .

The selection of the mechanical machine and the improvement of the mechanical machine is given much thought by trained men. Do yon give the same thought to the human machine 1 ? Do you provide any means in your camps for the betterment of the human machine? Some of the men improve themselves regardless of their surrounding conditions, but unless the right environment is provided the majority will simply mark time. «.* * * Raetihi is now the chief milling centre on the Main Trunk line south of Taumarunui, and there are at least 15 mills in operation in the district, with the prospect of two more being erected. With the [exception of white pine, no other timber is being exported at present. The Egmont Box Company and Dannevirke Woodwarc Company are buying logs from various points along the line, and prices are being paid which can only leave a small margin, at present prices, after railage and waste have been taken into account. * # * * The embargo prohibiting the export of hides has now been withdrawn, the result being they have soared in price something like 70 per cent., and boots will, of course, become correspondingly dearer. To ensure local supplies, the hides must be submitted to auction, and exporters exercise their right to bid up to market value for export, but the. local tanner has the option of taking each lot if he elects to do so. By this process it will be seen the full export price is secured to the farmer, whether the hides are bought for export or Dominion use, which is in strong contrast to the restrictions placed upon the export of timber, and the fixation of local prices, without reference to the market price for export. The Federation continues to protest to the Government against such treatment, and has been in correspondence with the Premier on the point, but so far no satisfaction has been obtained. No miller would object to supply the local market requirements first, all things being equal, but if we are not in a position to command, the world’s price for our product, then discontent and restriction of output will be the result. • In the present state of the local market every encouragement should be given the miller to produce to his utmost capacity, but the Government policy has an entirely opposite tendency.’