DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1933, Page 9

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

STATE FORESTRY SERVICE. The quantity of New Zealand timber exported in 1932 exceeded the 1931, total by nearly 10,000,000 feet board measure with an excess in value of over £BO,OOO, the figures for the year being 27,292,000 feet, at a value oi £254,020, says the annual report pl the State Forest Service, presented to Parliament. t On the other hand, the ’ in l; ol .’ t£ ;.. t 2 r the same period showed a shrinkage of over 60 per cent. The same factors which have militated so severely against the timber industry in the Dominion aro probably also responsible for the- marked decline in imports. R if., satisfactory to note that the import of box-shooks has substantially declined, and as the local consumption has simultaneously increased it would appear that diminishing imports spell increased employment in the Dominion. In pre-war days the export of silverbeech from Otago and Southland averaged about 500,000 feet board mcasuie per annum, but during the war ycar.-> the quantity fell as low as 100,000 feet board measure. The export, trade gradually returned, however, until it exceeded 3,000,000 feet board measure in 1929. After that year the demand for silver-beech for motor-body building overseas fell away to such an extent that only 740,000 feet were, exported in 1931. A revival in 1902 in the wood-consuming industries in Australia brought the export trade back to 1,500,000 feet for that year, it is very probable that as a result of the visit to England of the timber delegation a profitable export trade will lie developed with the Mother Country. Already initial orders have been booKed for over 500,000 feet. The timber produced in the Dominion for the year ended March 31, 1933, amounted to approximately 154,000tt„ or practically the same quantity as for the previous year. The main activities which contributed to the sustaining of the cut were in the white pine and pinus radiata species, both of v.’hich are utilised in the box and container industry. . . In connection with white pine, greater activity has been observed during the last twelve months. In fact, North Island interests are exploring every possible channel to secure supplies of this timber in South Westland, and one syndicate is reported to have secured options over many acres of native and privately-owned bush lands. The building trade has been very slack, and this is reflected in the sur plus supply of rimu, matai, and totara. A houeful sign, however, is ihe prospect of an increased trade in rimu and silver-beech, owing to the possibility of a demand from overseas. Sawmills operating in the Dominion as recorded by the Forest Service now number 527. Of the total mills 30 per cent, are closed down, 43 per cent, are working part time only, and 27 per cent, are working full time, an improvement on last year’s figures. It is pleasing to note that sawmillers generally are gradually beginning to realise the necessity for kiln drying their timber. This is indicated by the fact that four new kilns have been constructed witihn recent months, and the construction of a number of others is under consideration. It is well known that kiln drying is extensively practised in America and Europe, and unless New Zealand timber merchants are prepared to adopt similar methods in marketing their timbers they cannot possibly hope to compete with the foreign article on level terms. No improvement was shown in domestic markets during the year, and although exports increased considerably, they amount to only 17 per cent, of production, and thus have little effect on the industry, which continued to cut at less than 30 per cent, of capacity. The present rate of builidng is insufficient to house the natural increase of population, but because of subdivision of existing dwellings a house shortage has not occurred. A return to normal times, however, would again, in general, result in fewer people occupying each existing residence and a house shortage would again quickly be apparent. Following the trend of the last lew years, local box and crate manufacturers continue to supply the greater portion of New Zealand s demand foi both domestic and export containers. Imports during the year were tho lowest reported during the present century, and amounted to only 7,000, 000 feet board measure or less than 9 per cent, of the peak figures of 1925 Decreased demand for timber, international exchange, and internal price and wage adjustments have all aided in al lowing the local miller to compete with tho imported wood.

SUPERANNUATION BOARD. For the year ended March 31 last, the accumulated funds of the Public Service Superannuation Board were £2,897,415 3s Id, and the assets, which included provision for outstanding accounts, were £2,982,049 18s 9d, according to the board’s annual report, presented to Parliament. During the year 166 male and 2.1 S female new contributors joined the scheme, with total annual contributions of £2138 7s 9d. The total num ber of public servants contributing io the scheme at March 31 was 17,219, paying annually £225,300 Ils Bd. Pensions for £40,575 3s a year were granted during the year. One hundred and nine retiring or ether allowances were discontinued by death, and 62 for other causes—-viz., four widows re married and 5S children reached the age of 11. The annual amount payable at the close of the year was £482,591 7s Id.

The total income for the year wa; made up as follows:—‘Members’ ordinary contributions, £226,867; subsidy. Cook Islands and Samoan administration, £650; contributions from Government, £140,355; fines, etc., £302; interest, £166,814; total, £535,021. The pensions paid during the year io contributors who had retired and io dependents of deceased contributors amounted to- £472,287 12s 9d—£435.370 (is 6d to members, and £36,917 6s 3d to widows and children. Refunds of contributions to contributors who have left the service amounted to £33,425 6s lid, while the refunds under section 42 to personal representatives of deceased contributor.-: and annuities amounted to £8766 10s 7d. Ten contributors who were retired Elected to accept a, refund of their contributions, amounting to £3153 0s 3d, in lieu of retiring allowances.

The salaries of the staff and other office expenses were £2223 8s 8d and £1863 11s 4d respectively. The total outgo for the year was £525,610 0s 6d.