TIMBER TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 108, 10 May 1933, Page 10

TIMBER TRADE

QUARTER'S FIGURES

GENERAL INCREASE

REVIEW BY MINISTER

A statement dealing with the timber trade of New Zealand for tho first quarter of the present year, compared with tho trade during the corresponding period last year, was supplied to^a "Post" reporter today by the Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. E. A. Bansom). , "For the first quarter o£ 1933," said Mr. Ransom-, "the foreign and domestic timber trade conditions are similar to those for the same period of last year. . Imports and exports are ' both slightly higher than for 1932, but whereas imports amount to only a small fraction (13 per cent.) of the 1928-30 three-monthly average importations, exports amount to '86 per cent, of the 1928-30 three-monthly average exports. ' The favourable trade balance of over five million feet b.m. is the same as for 1932, as against an average adverse balance of over five million feet b.m. during 1928-30. "Generally speaking, the low imports reflected the extreme slackness in building and constructional industries, although slight increases over the 1932 figures are registered in most of the building items* / Box .and crate timbers constitute the major part of the remaining import items, and show a small total decrease." . : ;. THE IMPORTS. Dealing with timber imports for the period-under'review, Mr. Kansom said individual items showed only slight differences during tho first quarters of 1933 and 1932, and comments made in comparing the 1932 period with preceding periods might equally well be applied in this case. The largest item, "Australian hardwoods in the form of sawn timber, logs, poles, or.-. sleepers, etc.," was only 14 per cent, of the average figures for 1928-30. Douglas fir, redwood, and cedar, which were used for general constructional work, weatherboarding, and joinery, showed even greater proportional reductions . over the 1928-30 period than the first item. The small quantity of cedar imported during the current year originated in Russia^ and the western red cedar from North America, which was formerly heavily imported, had disappeared entirely from the market. ■ >-. ■ "Butter box shooks have been imported in greater quantities this year than last. year, • and show the smallest proportional decrease on former years' figures,", said the Minister. ; ; "These amount to 429,000 board feet this year, as compared with ? 362,000 board feet last year/with 655,000 board feet during 1928-30, and-with ~■-.■ 765,000 , board feet during 1931. The heavy exports of dairy produce during the. present season probably necessitated £he import of shooks to 'supplement the local-supply. No cheese crates have been importd this year, whereas the figures for 1932, 1931, and ;the average 1928-30 periods were respectively 160,000 board feet, 306,000 board feet, and 240,000 board feet..; The unfavourable exchange conditions ruling between Canada, Great Britain, and New. Zealand are probably the cause of the decrease in importar tipn; of cheese crates. ~- . "Oak maintains a. more stable trade than most other timber import items in view of .the apparent absence of competing native timbers, for particularly favoured: styles of furniture. TPE EXPORT POSITION. "Export figures disclose a fairly satisfactory position in that they'show a slight increase from the- figures for the same period of 1932 and amount to '86; per cent, of the average 1928-30 period exports^ Kahikatea (New Zealand white pine) retains its popularity in the Australian, dairying industry, and maintains a steady trade. A pleasing feature of this year's exports is the increased export of rimu, indicating a brighter position1 in building and allied trades in Australia. The other native timber used in general building, viz., kauri; finds a more restricted .use as a result of its higher price; only small increases may be anticipated in its exports;*- •■'••- '■'-.' "' -.•, :. i." -v; .''Beech shows an increase over the same periods, of 1932 and' 1931, but is uot expected to reach the average of the 1928-30 periods immediately, de-pending'as-it does upon motor-body building and other secondary' industries in Australia. The. opening of a market; for this species in Great Britain, from whom orders of , over 500,000 ft b.m. have already been received in'recent months, will serve to, make beech regain its importance in New Zealand's export /timber trade. .The remaining exports, are mainly insignis pine fruit case shooks ■ for the Islands' friiit trade." -. .' ■,' ~ : ' ,■.■ ■ ■~./ .- ;.;