‘Open Market’ For Furniture In N.Z.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30886, 20 October 1965, Page 18

‘Open Market’ For Furniture In N.Z.

(Kew Zealand Pre»» Association)

AUCKLAND, October 18.

The domestic market was “wide open” to furniture manufacturers, the Minister of Housing (Mr Rae) said in Auckland today.

Mr Rae was speaking at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Furniture Manufacturers Federation. Furniture carried a "D” classification, which meant that standard furniture could be imported only in exceptional circumstances, Mr Rae said. At present the New Zealand industry was supplying virtually the whole of the domestic market. Mr Rae said the Government had been able to meet most of the needs of the industry for imported machinery, although the overseas funds situation might have made it impossible to meet all requests for licences. The furniture manufacturers had also been affected by a reduction in the quantity of furniture timber available from domestic sources. BUOYANT STATE Mr Rae said the building I industry, on which the makers of furniture were largely dependent, was in a very buoyant state and the returns for the first five months of the financial year indicated that last year’s record figure would be exceeded.

The Minister congratulated the furniture industry on its efforts to overcome difficulties in the supply of raw materials. It had adapted coreboard, hardboard, and particle board,

materials manufactured from otherwise waste products of the forest industry, and was using laminations and plastic finishes to excellent effect. “LICENCES NEEDED”

The president of the federation (Mr C. Renwick) said it should be of some concern to the industry that licences were not being issued to manufacturers of veneers. “If the Government wants manufacturers to save solid timbers a much more generous attitude will have to be adopted in the issuing of licences to our members, because of the price structure and very limited sizes available in plywoods and veneered particle boards,” Mr Renwick said.