RECORD TIMBER OUTPUT

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27992, 12 June 1956, Page 15

RECORD TIMBER OUTPUT

Increased Trading By Industry ' STATEMENT BY MINISTER (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 11. All sections of the timber industry ecorded increased trading during the ear ended on March 31 last, said a tatement released by the Minister of orests (Mr S. W. Smith) tonight. Prouction reached a record of 626.000.000] oard feet, an increase of 10,000,000 i card feet on 1954-55 production. Timber imports increased by 2.000.000 board feet from 38.000,000 to 0.000.000 board feet and exports by .OCO.OOO board feet from 33.000.000 to 2.000.030 beard feet. In the aggregate consumers had vailable for their use 634.000.000 board eet or 13.000.000 board feet more than uring the previous year. The statement said that, as was exerted. exotic timber production inreased (by 16.000.0C0 board feet) and adigenous timber production deceased (by 6.000.000 board feet). Indigenous Timber Production The fall in indigenous timber production was not as large as was hoped, hough the trend was now clearly deined. During the last four years it tad shown a slow, but steady, decline nd the 1955-56 cut of 317,000,000 board eet was 23,000.000 board feet below he 340,003,000 board feet produced ini 952-53. A greater fall in indigenous imber production was desirable in )oth the short and long term timber ise economy of the country. The increase in timber imports was ©mewhat unexpected, continued the tatement. but reflected the increased iemand for timber for commercial juilding and heavy construction. The increase in timber exported was expected, but was not as great as desired. having regard to the still expanding productive capacity of the exotic timber industry. The means of increasing exports still further were under constant examination by both the Government and the timber industry, said the statement. In response to the industry’s request the Government had agreed to appoint & timber trade commissioner in Australia, who would take up his duties early in July. The industry was also appointing a publicity officer and undertaking a strong publicity campaign. Their respective work would be complementary.