TIMBER PRODUCTION

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 271, 12 August 1938, Page 15

TIMBER PRODUCTION

Progressive Increase In New Zealand SAWMILLERS’ REPORT The increased production of milled timber in New Zealand over the four years from 1934-35 onwartl is the subject of qualified favourable comment in the report presented at the annual general meeting of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association in Wellington “The figures disclose a progressive increase in sawmilling activity over the four years which is most heartening,” the report stated "But for the present most disquieting trend toward completely unbalanced consumption and demand, the continued definite house shortage and future building needs of the Dominion presage a period of sustained vigour and activity in our industry for a number of years to come “We advisedly use the words ‘vigour and activity’ rather than the word ‘prosperity,’ for prosperity in the industry is dependent upon the maintenance of a reasonable margin of monetary return over actual costs, and this in turn must be governed by the ability of the industry to find markets for and dispose of the whole of the qualities and grades contained in the trees as nature grew them “The present undue and excessive demand for heartwood grades seems likely to discount severely the possibility of .retaining the industry upon a profitable basis”

The year of peak production in New Zealand WHs 1925-2 G when the total was 353,250,009 feet bin The figures for the four years referred to were given as follows: —l934-35, 243,782,000 feet; 1935-3(5, 293,075,000 feet; 1930-37, 305,889 feet; 1937'38 (estimate), 330,000,000 feet “The figures of timber imports for the last calendar year show material •increase over the several previous years,” the report continued, “and. this fact also illustrates growth of timber consumption Foreign Importations After giving details of the quantity of imports the report commented as follows on the importation of certain classes of timber stated to displace New Zealand/timbers: — “We have always held that there is not the slightest need or justification for the importation of oak which mostly comes from Japan, with lesser quantities from the United States This timber is imported merely to cater for 4t popular fancy or fashion for furniture, founded on the illusion that it is the ‘good old oak of England’ yVe are quite convince!! that if householders appreciated its demerits compared with the high qulaity and beauty of beech, j imu, tawa, and other of our timbers for furniture purposes, there would be less ready sale for it, especially if it were concurrently realised that the purchase of oak furniture is au indirect means of assisting Japan”