TIMBER TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1933, Page 2

TIMBER TRADE

ANNUAL REPORT

WELLINGTON, October 12.

“Die result of last year’s working in tlie timber trade must' be regarded as satisfactory and bears out • the opinon that tile trade has touched rock bottom,” states the Director of Forestry (Mr A. D. McGavock), in the annua] report of the State- Forest Service. The timber produced during the year ended on March 31, 1933, amounted to 154,C00,000 feet, practically the same output as for the previous year. The main activities contributing to the sustaining of the cut were iin the white pine and pinus radiata species, both of which were utilised in the box and. container industry. North Island interests were exploring every channel to ’ secure supplies of white pine in South Westland.

The building trade had been very slack, and this was reflected in the surplus supply of riinu, matai, and totara. A hopeful sign, however, was the prospect of increased trade in rinin and silver beech, owing to the possibility of a demand from overseas. -\o improvement was : shown ' in the domestic markets during the year, and although exports increased considerably, they amounted to only 17 per cent, of the production, and thus had little effect on the industry, which continued to cut at less than 30 per cent of capacity.

There was again a decline in the inunubeir of mew buildings erected. Only 1000 building permits were issued in the principal towns for new dwellings, compared with 1100 m the previous year. ,

“The present rate of building,’’ the •report adds, “is insufficient to house the natural increase of population, but on ‘account of the subdivision of existing dwellings a house shortage has not occurred.” Local box and brato manufacturers continue to supply the greater portion of New Zealand’s demand for both domestic .and export containers. 'Thie (reports during the ye Nr were the lowest reported during the present century, and amounted to only 7,000,000 Leet, hoard measure, or less than 9 per cent, of the peak flguie of 1925. The decreased aeeimner for timber, international exchange, and internal price and wage adjustments had *ll aided in, allowing the local miller to compete with imported wood. The mills in general again operated at such a low percentage of capacity that only those engaged Jin box 'manufacture were encouraged to invest in new equipment, which included accurate high-grade planing machines and resaws. ‘