NELSON LOGS FOR JAPAN

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31383, 31 May 1967, Page 1

NELSON LOGS FOR JAPAN

(N.Z. Press Association)

NELSON, May 30.

The log trade between Nelson and Japan is to be resumed. Stockpiling of pine logs at Port Nelson will begin next week, and it is hoped to have the first ship here early in August. Ships will call about every 50 days.

The managing-director of H. Baigent and Sons, Ltd. (Mr L. H. Hunter) said that negotiations had been completed between his company and a group of four Japanese com-

panies. Broad agreement had been reached on all Issues, and the contract was now subject only to completion of minor details.

The new contract has been welcomed by the Nelson Harbour Board and the Nelson Waterside Workers’ Union. It will ensure work for more than 100 men at peak periods. “Without this there would have been a drop in the demand for labour generally in Nelson.” said Mr Hunter. The Japanese companies are the group which conducted the log trade from Mount Maunganui. To take advantage of the efficient handling system developed at that port, a special arrangement has been made for Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Steve4

dores, Ltd., to handle the logs at Nelson. Representatives of the company will work full time here, and will bring special equipment to handle heavy logs. The Japanese companies are Toyo Menka Kaisha, Ltd., the Marubeni-Lida Company, Ltd., the Nissho Company, Ltd., and Ataka and Company Ltd., all with head offices in Tokyo. The log trade between Nelson and Japan began in 1959, and by the time it stopped late In 1964, 28 million super feet had been taken. The year ended September 30, 1962, was the peak year, with 7 million super feet The ships in the new service have a capacity of 2} million super feet. On that basis 10 shipments would be

sufficient to take the same quantity of logs that passed over the Nelson wharves from 1959 to 1964. If the 50-day cycle is maintained, it would be achieved in less than 18 months. Mr Hunter said the contract would be effective for some years. The logs would be those not generally suitable for sawmilling in Nelson. It was intended that after the first shipment early in August, the second would be late in September, and the third in midNovember.

Mr Hunter said that about 60 men would be involved in the bush work and transport. Up to 50 men would be employed in loading the ships, which was estimated to’ take between a week and 11 days.