TIMBER TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 10

TIMBER TRADE

SIX MONTHS' FIGURES

RIMU AND BEECH EXPORTS

MOKE SENT OVERSEAS

The revival in tho demand for New Zealand rimu and beech in Australia, and tho growing demand for beech in Great Britain, are responsible for slight increases in recent exports of New Zealand timber. At. the same time there has boon an appreciable shrinkage in the export of white pine.

Timber trade- statistics for the first half of the present year, with a comparison of the statistics for tho first half of 1933, were released today by the Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. E. A. Eansom). They show that for tho first half of this year exports increased slightly, but that imports have doubled, although a favourable timber trade balance of approximately 7,000,000 feet b.m. still exists in favour of New Zealand. The totals in each caso are as follows. —

Exports (6 months, 1934): 13,519,000 ft b.m., £124,380. Exports (6 months, 1933): 13,047,000 ft b.m., £121,240. Imports (6 months, 1934): 6,700,000 ft b.m., £82,530. Imports (6 months, 1933): 3,374,000 ft b.m., £41,500.

Despite tho fact that imports have doubled this year, less than 3,000,000 ft b.m. consists of timber actually competing with New Zealand production,, the balance being Australian hardwoods for poles, sleepers, construction, etc. As tho production of New Zealand timber for the samo period is estimated at IbO,OOO,OOOft b.m., the importation of competitive timbers is relatively small.

The statistics show that while exports have increased slightly this year, tho character of the export trade has altered materially. An appreciable shrinkage is apparent in the export of white pine, but this has been more than compensated for by relatively largo increases in tho exports of rimu and beech., Tho value of rimu exported has increased from £9040 to £20,380, and the value of beech from. £5330 to £12,280. It is interesting to note that rimu exported to Australia has increased from 1,308,000 ft b.m. to 2,851,----000 ft b.m., and beech from Go9,oooft b.m. to 1,086,000 ft b.m. Last year Great Britain took no beech from New Zealand, but this year 104,000 ft b.m. were exported to tho Old Country. EXPORTS TO BRITAIN. The total timber export to Great Britain for the first half of 1933 was 4000 ft b.m., and for the first half of this year it was 224,000 ft b.m. Of the latter quantity, rimu comprised 48,000 ft b.m., white ■ pine 2000 ft b.m., kauri 49,000 ft b.m., and beech 104,000 ft b.m. For tho first half of 1933 none of'theso timbers is mentioned, the amount of timber exported to Britain coming under the heading of "other timbers." For the first half of 1934, "other, timbers" exported amounted to 21,000 ft b.m.

During the two periods under review approximately 97 per cent, of all timber exports havo been sent to Australia, tho balance of 3 per cent, having been forwarded to Great Britain and tho Pacific Islands, the demand in the latter case being mainly for fruit cases.