TIMBER COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2488, 29 April 1909, Page 4

TIMBER COMMISSION

SITTING AT TAIHAPE

[Per Press Association.]

TAIHAPE, April 28. At the Timber Commission, Mr. Gammon estimated the life of the North Island forests at 50 years. Millers offered to let the Government fix theprice of timber. The royalties and freight were already fixed." and they might as well fix the price. Last year £7-590 was lost to the country by the present war between Oregon and rimu.. Some sold below cost. If the Oregon were predominant, 500 men would be displaced. The quantity of timber in Waimarino forest was over-estimated. He calculated it at 15,000 ft per acre. A fair net- profit for millers was 12] per cent. The risks of fire* were very great. Mir. Laird, the next witness, considered the rise in the- cost of building to bo. due to other expenses than that of timber. He was making no profit, orders having fallen off 50 per cent. Architects, especially those in Government employ, were specifying Oregon.. He favored a duty on a’l imported timber. Ho suggested Is for smaller Oregon. If the duty on Oregon was lowered, many millers would go under. About 60 per cent, of the men were out of employment for the last twelve months. The royalties were too heavy. Allowance ought to be made for rough country. Oregon had not cheapened the cost of building. Sawmiliing -paid the largest wages of anv industry. Heart of rimu was more durable than heart- of Oregon. A protection duty that did not protect was no good.