IMPORTED TIMBER.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13094, 20 April 1908, Page 7

IMPORTED TIMBER.

DOMESTIC SUPPLIES DE-

CREASING. -

(PK_.fI_SSO.IA.TION TII—GHAMI.)

WELLINGTON, April 17.

The high prices of New Zealand timbers and the upward te—dency of the market _aye been followed by fairly heavy importations of Oregon "pine. The steamer Den of Ruthveu, recently in Wellington, had fire _iillio_ feet on board, and much ef it is for Wellington ; while another order of a million feet is on its way from North-west America to Wellington. In the oourse of conversation with a representative of the "Post" &■ timber merchant expressed* bis firm belief that-Oregon pine had come to. stay. ' "For the past five years," fife added, "suppKes of local timber have been running short; so much so tiiat v certain lines, such as heart matai and kauri, are only supplied conditioßally that they can bo obtained." When questioned on the suggested removal of the duty on timber, the merchant observed: "with respect to that, I consider that any commodity that becomes a necessity should have no duty placed on it at all." "Would timber merchants in New Zealand favour an. increase of the export duty on kauri?" "My answer, so far as I am personally concerned, is certainly not; and fox this reason: Kauri b,as become 6© valuable in the outside world that there is no reason why we should not let it all go .if we can import a suitable timber at a cheaper fate to take its place. If people are prepared to pay a high prioe for kauri let them have it." The opening up of vast timber areas by the Main Trunk railway was referred to and the question was asked if this new source of supply would relieve the stringency of the Wellington market; but the Teply was to the effect that Wellington would not gain very muoh by this mew factor, because the country towns along the route were increasing ©o fast that they could, and would, almost take as much as the' mills could turn out.