TIMBER TRADE

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 May 1933, Page 12

TIMBER TRADE

QUARTER’S FIGURES INCREASE.

A statement dealing with the timber trade of New Zealand for the first quarter of the present year, compared with the trade during the corresponding period last year, was supplied this week by the Commissioner of State Forests (Mr E. A. Ransom). “For the first quarter of 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 5,000,000 feet b.m. is the same as for 1932, as against an average adverse balance of over 5,000,000 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 decreasp.”

THE IMPORTS.

Dealing with timber imports for the period under review, Mr Ransom said individual items showed only slight differences during the 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 192830 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 shocks have been imported in greater quantities this year than last year, and. show the smallest proportional decrease on former years’ figures,” said the Minister, t “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 the import of shocks to supplement the local supply. No cheese crates have been imported 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 importation of cheese crates.

“Oak maintains a more stable trade

thd.n most other timber import items in view of the apparent absence of competing native timbers for particularly favoured styles of furniture. 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 dairy industry, and maintains a steady trade. A pleasing feature of this year’s exports is the increased export of rimu, indicating a brighter position 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.

“Beech shows an increase over the same periods of 1932 and 1931, but is not expected to reach the average of the 1928-30 periods immediately, depending 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 sei've to > make beech regain its importance in New Zealand’s export timber trade. The remaining exports are mainly insignia pine fruit case-shocks for the Island fruit trade.”