HARDBOARD EXPORTS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30168, 27 June 1963, Page 10

HARDBOARD EXPORTS

Colonial Sugar Opposition

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 25.

The Colonial Sugar Refining Company, had told the Australian Tariff Board that several countries, including New Zealand, were selling eighth-inch hardboard at dumping prices. A spokesman for New Zealand Forest Products, Ltd., said today the sugar company was the principal producer of hardboard in Australia.

Representatives of Forest Products would be in Canberra next month to oppose the sugar company’s application on duties. He said the quantity of New Zealand hardboard being sold on the Australian market was negligible. Total sales amounted to less than 2,000,000 square feet. “Technically speaking, we are, as tire Australians put it. dumping eighth-inch hardboard on the market in that it is being sold, when freight charges are taken into account, at a price less than that on the local market,” he said.

The spokesman said the reverse situation also applied. Australian-produced printing and fine writing paper was being sold in New Zealand at prices considerably less than in Australia, even with freight charges included. He said New Zealand hardboard was definitely superior to that made in Australia and it was much in demand, particularly in Melbourne, for the manufacture of furniture.