EXPORT OF TIMBER

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 189, 12 May 1928, Page 7

EXPORT OF TIMBER

REMOVAL OF RESTRICTION “TEMPORARY EXPEDIENT” As there is some . misapprehension as to the purpose and effect of the recent Order-in-Council revoking the regulations of the years 1918, 1919, 1922 and 1925, by force of which exportation of timber from New Zealand was restricted, the Commissioner of State Forests (Hon. O. J. Hawken), in the course of an interview yesterday, made a clear statement of the position. “The policy of the Government,” said Mr. Hawken, “has been that the native forests should be conserved for the use of the people of New Zealand: that policy continues; and the removal of the restrictions must be looked upon as a temporary expedient, with the object of, firstly, enabling the disposal in Australian and other markets of the large stocks of timber which have accumulated at New Zealand mills consequent on diminution in demand for building purposes; and, secondly, enabling sawmill workers to find present employment to a much larger extent than has lately been possible.” He pointed out that cheaper, imported timbers, such as redwood and red cedar, had lately been found to be suitable for a number of'purposes for which some of our best timbers were formerly used; but, nevertheless, the available supply of most of our more valuable woods was now so limited that the Government could not contemplate the permanent unrestricted sale of those timbers in outside markets, more especially as it was evident from the returns that the extra customs duty imposed on imported timbers was having the effect of steadying importations. “All engaged in the trade,” concluded the Minister, “must therefore understand that it will be necessary for the position to be reviewed by the Government from time to time as conditions now existent become changed; and ■in making commitments, must keep this in mind.”