TIMBER AND WOOD PULP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 196, 20 August 1931, Page 4

TIMBER AND WOOD PULP.

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCT

FUTURE MARKET IN ENGLAND.

"I am still inclined to think that the demand for artificial silk is likely-to increase at the expense ot wool, inat, is, however, at the moment, merely a mattei of opinion," states Sir Herbert Matthews formerly secretary to the Central Chamber of Agriculture, London, in an article in the "Timber Growers' Quarteily Review," the official organ of the fcew Zealand Timber Growers' Association. "The statistics of imports of timber, of pulp and of other paper-making materials into Britain during the last few years," say* Sir Herbert, "show that to-day England offers a fine market to the world, and that but a small part of our needs comes from Empire sources. It is evident that pressnt rates of consumption in England and other countries must so deplete supplies that consumers mil, within a few years, find it difficult to fulfil their contracts, even at greatly enhanced "I "can say again, therefore, that if other factors remain constant, there will be a fine market in England for .New Zealand timber, or for the various forms of products from timber. The desire to buy from the Dominions rather than from foreign countries is growing stronger every week, and the time is not far distant when our people will insist upon preference being given to our kinsmen m every possible direction. That is a fact. "Another fact is that New Zealand can grow soft woods at least three times as fast as anv other country in the world. Another fact is that at present New Zealand forests are freer from insect and fungus pests than most, if not all, other countries. Except in Scandinavia practicallv nothing is being done to replace the areas that have been and are now bdng. denuded of forest. The rate of growth in Scandinavia is so slow, however, that Ne~ Zealand can grow three crops by the time Norway and Sweden will have a new crap to offer. "Against this might be pat the longer distance of New Zealand from the English market. However, if Australia and New Zealand can import timber from Scandinavia to make butter and apple boxes, and re-export them to England, the enhanced price of timber which ie in front of ue will certainly enable New Zealand timber or ite prod acts to bear the cost of the single journey. .