THE TIMBER COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2509, 24 May 1909, Page 5

THE TIMBER COMMISSION

PITIFUL TALES.

(Per Phess Association.]

WELLINGTON, May 22. At the Timber Commission to-day, Mr. Jennings read letters just received from a man and his wife, who stated they were on the verge of starvation, had a dying child, and were compelled to beg a bit of fat from a neighbor to make a lamp to struggle in the dark to get their child “whatever we can catch for her.” The man was unable to get workj, even though he offered to work for food only. Mr. Jennings asked a witness before the Commission if these letters represented the actual state of affairs among the workers along the Main Trunk line. The reply was to the effect that the position set out was not overdrawn. Charles Hutton, contractor, Taihape, drew a pitiful picture of the condition of timber workers in his district. The cost of living all along the Main Trunk line was exceptionally high, and married men felt the distress most keenly. He considered the importation of Oregon pine the principal cause of the distress. The railway being finished there was no other work for them to do. Mr. Jennings: Children have clothes made of flour bags. _ Henry Donovan, Taihape. gave evidence from the workers’ point of view. Ho thought the price of timber might be regulated by legislation in order to protect consumers. Oregon should be shut out. To Mr Jennings: If land were thrown open to men out of work at Taihape tliev would be glad to. get it. Mr. Hutchinson, railway storekeeper, at Petone, said millers had been slow in sunnlying the Government orders to his Department. No doubt the test the timber had to undergo had something to do with it. Jarrah had to be imported in large quantities. Native timbers could not be used for bridge work. i Alexander Campbell, builder, advocated free importation. Oregon vyas much better and cheaper than native timbers for house building.