J. CRAWFORD.]

97

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66. Assuming it costs Bs. 6d. to produce it and put it on the trucks'and 3s. for railage from Southland, do you think it is too much for the timber-merchants to be charging 13s. 6d., taking into consideration the charges for rent, keeping horses and carts, &c. ?—lf it costs Bs. 6d. on the trucks I do not think it is an unreasonable charge. 67. I mean the cost of production without allowing anything for profit at all—you think 13s. 6d. is not unreasonable? —No, not if that is the cost of production. 68. You think the builders would not complain if that were the basis? —No. I think the dressed lines are rather heavy. 69. More than they ought to be?— Yes. 70. Assuming that 13s. 6d. is a fair price in Dunedin, would 14s. 6d. be a fair price in Wellington, the conditions being the same and with railage Is. more?— They may have different conditions in Wellington. The rents would be higher than they are here. 71. You think 13s. 6d. is not an out-of-the-way price in view of the facts mentioned?— No. 72. Are you aware that timber throughout the world generally has gone up about 50 per cent, during the last ten years? —I did not know that. I believe it has gone down in America. 73. Perhaps a temporary fall in price? —Yes. 74. Speaking generally, during the last ten years has not the price gone up 50 per cent, all over the world?—l could not speak on that question. 75. What do you pay here for rough Oregon timber?— There are various prices just now. There is hardly a fixed rate just yet. It varies from 15s. to £1 2s. 7(>. Now, if it was a fact that Oregon pine is already in some places affecting prejudicially our local industry, is it not to be supposed that it would still further affect it if the 2s. duty were taken off?—l do not think so. I think the consumer would be getting the benefit of that, and the money would go through different channels. 77. Are you aware that Oregon is being used in other parts of the colony for flooring and other work that ft would- not be used for here?-—Yes. Perhaps they cannot get red-pine as they get it here. 78. But even where they can get red-pine are you aware it is being used? —There must be the same conditions ruling, but it would never compete with red-pine here. 79. Do you get a discount on the price which the timber-merchant charges you for timber? — Yes, 10 per cent, and 1\ in addition for cash. 80. That reduces the 14s. 6d. by about Is. 6d. ?—Something like that. 81. The net price is under 135.?- -Yes. 82. And the builders are not complaining of that price?— Not generally. 83. I suppose you would agree that if a duty is to be imposed on imported timber it should be imposed on the large sizes?—l do not think so. I think if it is to be brought in it should be brought in as cheap as possible. You can buy timber on the wharf at sizes to suit yourself and pay the extra charges for cartage into the mill. 84. You Would not encourage the protecting of any of the large sizes? —No, I do not think it would be worth it. 85. With regard to supplies, I suppose you are aware that large timber-forests have been opened up in the North Island by the Main Trunk Railway? —But it makes the timber very expensive bringing it from the North Island down here. 86. What is the freight, say, from Wellington to here? —About 2s. 87. Are you aware that the men employed in the sawmills in Otago and Southland alone number something like a thousand?—l have seen something in the papers about it. 88. Have you heard anything of a complaint In respect to the timber-merchants grading the timber, buying a low-grade timber and grading it so as to sell the lower grade at a reasonable price, and picking out the best and selling it at a high price?—l do not think that it done here. 89. Do you know anything about the importation of Baltic-pine doors?—No, I do not know much about that. 90. Are they being imported in Dunedin? —There has been very little so far. I think there is a cargo here now, but it has had no effect. 91. Mr. Let/land.] In regard to the kauri-supply, have you found any difficulty in obtaining kauri promptly?—l have never done a great trade in kauri, only in small lots. We always buy locally. 92. if Oregon pine was permitted and encouraged to come here, do you think it would materially help to conserve the kauri?— Oregon would be of no use for joinery in the way the kauri is. 93. But if Oregon was used for joists and beams instead of kauri, do you think it would relieve the kauri to the extent that you require?— Yes, it should do that. 94. With regard to Oregon competing with rimu, I understand you to say that it did not compete with rimu in the sizes for which rimu is suitable, but only those sizes for which it was difficult to obtain rimu? —Long lengths and big sizes. 95. With reference to seasoned timber, are you able to obtain seasoned timber from the merchants here? —No; it is very difficult to get it hero from the yard—they keep a very small stock of it. 96. If the timber-merchant did keep it he would be entitled to an extra charge?— Yes. 97. Well, speaking of the duty on large or small sizes, if a duty is to be imposed on small sizes, do you not think that 9 by 3 and all sizes above that should have a corresponding reduction of duty?—l should be in favour of the duty coming off altogether. 98. But, supposing it was found as a result of taking evidence that it was advisable to keep the duty on, the question would arise as to where the line should be drawn, bearing in mind the purposes for which Oregon is specially used —starting with joists?—l would take the red-pine when you get to 10 in. wide.

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