TIMBER TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 56, 7 March 1930, Page 4

TIMBER TRADE

INCREASED EXPORTS MORE FAVOURABLE BALANCE THE CUSTOMS FIGURES Preliminary Customs returns in regard to the timber trade, announced by the Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. "W. B. Taverner) show a slightly improved position, as compared with the year 1928-29. A decrease in the timber trade balance against New Zealand is recorded. The Minister said that the total imports and exports for tho two periods were as follow: — Imports? 1928, 60,516,000 ft . B.M. (£738,850); 1929, 63,001,000 ft B.M. (£769,410). . • • ' • Exports: 1928, 35,029,000 ft B.M, (£377,480); 1929, 39,103,000ft;-B.M. (£439,340). ".Although the imports increased-in quantity by 2,500,000 ft B.M. and in •valne by £30,000, the exports increased by over 4,000,000 ft B.M. and in value by over £60,000," the Minister said, "so that the timber trade balance of 25,487,000 ft B.M. (£361,370) existing against New Zealand during 1928, decreased to 23,898,000 ft B.M. (£330,070) during 1929. TARIFF CONCESSIONS. "It is hoped," said Mr. Taverner, "that the position will still further im- ■ prove during 1930. Beeent changes in the Australian tariff are definitely in favour of New Zealand timbers as qompared with Scandinavian and North American woods, and it is anticipated that an increased trade in the export of softwoods to the Commonwealth will eventuate. This view is supported by the tone of inquiries from the Commonwealth and orders placed during recent months. Approximately 40' per cent, of the total imports are of hardwoods, whereas of the exports only 8 per cent, are hardwoods, the remainder in both cases being softwoods. IMPORTED HARDWOODS. "The imported hardwoods," said tho Minister, "were divided into two classes, those required for constructional purposes —such as poles, sleepers, bridge, and constructional timbers—and those used for interior finishing, furniture, etc. To a large extent the constructional timbers did not enter into competition with New Zealand woods, but it was the Governments policy to develop the utilisation of the native species to the maximum. During recent years the increased purchase of silver pine telegraph poles, etc., had assisted to reduce the imports of constructional timbers from 23,750,000 ft B.M. in 1928 to 22,333,000 ft B.M. in 1929. The woods' imported for interior finishing and furniture manufacture,' etc., constituted only about onefifth to one-sixth of the total imports of hardwoods. ' THE TRADE EMBARRASSED. "It was interesting to note," he continued, "that while:the total importations of hardwoods decreased in quan,tity by, 1,333,000 ft 8.M., the total importations of softwoods increased by. about four million feet 8.M., the greater part of which was accounted for by increased importations of Californian redwood (over 2,000,000fj; 8.M.) and spruce butter boxes (over 1,000,----000 ft 8.M.). Of the total softwood importations of almost 40,000,000 ft 8.M., over 29,000,000 ft B.M. were «onsumed Tby the building and constructional industries in direct competition with .the native timbers. As the consumption of local woods was now only 270,000,OOOff B:M~-an'd' the "cutting "capacity of New1 Zealand mills almost twice that figure, the quantities imported were English—are interpreted with sympasuffioient to' somewhat embarrass the .trade." REDUCING IMPORTS. The Minister mentioned, in referring to recent developments, the visit of a timber delegation from British Columbia. In so far as its objective was ;to replace American-supplied timber by Canadian woods, the delegation had the support of the Government, this being in line with, the declared policy of fostering inter-Empire trade, especi: ially that with Canada, .which was" a valued and increasing customer for the 1 Dominion's exports of dairy produce, wool, etc. "We are fully in sympathy jtvith the Canadian desire,to capture as much as possible of the.timber imports now. originating in the U.5.A.," Mr. fTaverner said, "but the Government is primarily interested in reducing imports to the minimum, and will continue to encourage and assist New Zealand timber producers to improve the quality of their products, and ito secure a large proportion of the total detaand," .■ ; i ; Commenting in detail upon the softwood importations, the Minister said ft would appear that the increase in Vedwood from only a few million feet P.M. in 1925, to almost 12,000,000 ft 38.M. in 1929, followed the decrease in production of totara from 21,000,000 ft SB.M. in 1922 to 11,000,000 ft B.M. in 1.928. Totara, however, was much Jsuperior to both redwood and western Ired cedar, which tended to replace it jfor exterior joinery, weatherboards, letc '-.■.. BUTTER BOXES. As to tne increased importations of (spruce butter boxes, that was a very r-e----jgrettable development from every -viewpoint. The considered opinion of independent authorities upon i the Eurogpean butter market was that the shipping of New Zealand, butter.in spruce containers is detrimental to its reputa; ■tion, and in support of' this'view it [would be recollected that the Dairy Produce Board had condemned the Spruce , container, and recommended (producers to use only the New Zealand fwhite pine and silver beech packages. [With reference to the total importations of softwoods for boxing and crating purposes, amounting during 1929 to over 8,500,000 ft 8.M., that the whole of that material could be satisfactorily produced in this Dominion, 'and that every effort should be made to secure Jthat very desirable objective. Further success by the millers of New Zeajland would tend to eliminate the existing anomaly of exporting New Zealand butter to Canada and the United Kingjdom in boxes made of Scandinavian (timber. Mr. Taverner pointed out that with jthe exception of rimu, all the Dominion woods showed an increase in exports for 3.929, as compared with 1928. Australia continued as our most important (customer, and purchased over 30,000,----jOOOft B.M. of white pine during the {year, representing an increase of 5,000,OOOft B.M. over the exports for the previous period. It was' certainly significant that Australia, which was enIdeavouring to raise the quality of its •butter for the European markets, continued to prefer New Zealand white pine boxes to the Scandinavian and North American spruce boxes. Small increases were recorded in the case of both kauri and silver beech, which were highly valued in the Commonjvealth for many special uses. "As already mentioned," concluded the Minister, "the recent changes in the Australian tariff are in favour of New Zealand woods asi compared with Scandinavian and North American timbers, and it is confidently anticipated •that the export trade in rimu and matai will now be considerably augmented." Children .under fourteen are now forbidBen- to attend- either bull fights or boxing matches in Madrid.