TIMBER TRADE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 13 November 1930, Page 4

TIMBER TRADE.

INCREASE IN IMPORTS.

EXPORTS SHOW A DECLINE. Despite the restricted trade following from lower prices being obtained bv New Zealand for her products in world markets, the timber trade for the first eight months of the present yenr allowed n marked increase over the figures lor 1929. Imports of lumber were higher by over 25 per cent, in volume of trade and 32 per cent, increase in price paid. During the period to tho end of August, New Zealand's imports of timber were 45,097,000 feet, against 36,595,000 feet for tho same period last veur, while the timber export trade showed a slump, only 21,293,000 feet going overseas against 24,144,000 feet last year. Tho value of the imported iumber, on Customs declarations, was £580,000, whereas in 1929 it was £448,000. The value of exports had fallen from £268,000 to £227,000. In six of the ten species of which the Customs Department keeps separate! records, increases were recorded. Hardwoods reported an increased importation of almost 10,000,000 feet, rising from 14,171,000 feet to 24,017,000 feet. Oalt, ash, and hickory, all used for furniture and interiors, Douglas fir, hemlock, and spruce were higher. Redwood fell slightly. Hemlock and spruce rose from 1,623,000 to 1,835,000 feet in tho case of butter boxes, from 440,000 to 761,000 feet ill I the case of cheese crates, and 1,093,000 to 1,364,000 feet in the caso of fruit cases.

The marked increaso in softwoods for caso manufacture is the most striking thing about tho first eight mouths or t/ie year, lheso figures cover the position as it was at the time when the increased rate of duty determined upon by 1 arhamenfc began to operate. From August, imported softwoods pav nu additional duty of 4s 6d per 100 feet, while at the same time the selling pjico or tho local product has been reduced. Tt is possible that tho export trade will movo ahead by invasion of a hew field"~tlie Australian lumber market. The Australian Government has placed now increased rates of duty upon imported woods, and these allow the clean sap grades of such New Zealand timbers as rimu and matai to be landed in Australia at a very favourable price. For the first eight months of the yenr, the TJmted Status had to take second place to Australia in exports 0) oMSf c . New . Zealand, shipping 14..»).000 fpet against Australia's 22 . 0(X). The largo increase in Aus trnlian trades was dud to the hardwood shipments to New Zealand fbr polos and sleepers. This, however, was pure lv temporary. Canada was the only other country of much importance in the lumbar trade, shipping 5.G81 000 feet to this country. '