More Pinus Insignis To Be Used For New Zealand Furniture

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 83, 9 January 1950, Page 5

More Pinus Insignis To Be Used For New Zealand Furniture

“In spite of statements and reassurances from official quarters that all is well in the timber position, members were experiencing difficulty in obtaining furniture timbers ,of the required sizes and qualily,’” said Mr W. M. Dawp, of Auckland, speaking as President of the New Zealand Furniture Manuracturers’ Federation at the annual meeting of the federation.

The supply position during 1949 had been eased by the granting of licences to import Japanese oak and supplies alreadyS received had been of assistance.

The federation was pleased to read a statement by Mr Nash that further licences would be issued for importation of oak timber from Japan in 1949/50. The shortage w T as accentuated by the export of native timbers from the West Coast to Australia. Furniture manufacturers had been advised by the State Forest Service to use greater quantities of insignis pine. However, its possible use in furniture manufacture was limited and it was felt that Australia should be asked to take a greater proportion of pine rather than deprive New Zealand manufacturers and the public of rimu, which was preeminently suitable for furniture. During the past year; the proportion of rimu exported had been almost trebled, whereas the proportion of pine which had been exported was only a little more than doubled.