WHITE PINE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1938, Page 5

WHITE PINE

FOR EXPORT THE EMBARGO ITfTINC. (Per Press Association.—Copyright). . . WELLINGTON, December 2. Consent, to the export to Australia of 17;000,000 feet of white pine timber over a tliree-year period i.s to be given by the New Zealarrdfauthorities in the event of approval' from the Australian Tariff Board, Various issues involved in the proposal were explained by the

Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. F. Langstone), in an interview this evening.' He said that lie understood the question was to be considered by the board within the next few days. Mr Langstone said that some weeks ago, a delegation from the. Sawmillers’ Federation had visitea Australia in an endeavour to encourage the export, of timber from New Zealand to Australia. The delegation found that there was a demand for New Zealand white pine if .the people in Australia could be given some guarantee of supplies over a period. The Australian Tariff Board had bben‘considering the matter. Canada was anxious to; export hemlock to Australia for 'manufacture into butterboxes'.

Fop last two or three years, because of the shortage of white piim supplies in the Dominion, the export of white pin© to Australia had been prohibited. Queensland had'been supplying New South Wales and Victoria with h°°P pine ..for butter boxes, but the position had now arisen "that Queensland would not be able to supply the full requirements of the market in less than'three yehrs. “We have at the moment about 16,000,000 £eet of white pine in the yards of Various New Zealand butterbox factories,” said Mr Langstone. , “We also have' 400,000 boxes’ in our stores at Frankton and Fielding. On going into the matter thoroughly, I ascertained that we could supply the 'Australian \ 'market with about 17,000,000 feet of white pine over a three-year period—7,OOOyOOO feet in th e first year, and 5,000,000 feet in each of the other, two years. This would give immediate relief to our surpluses in hand, and also enable arrangements to be'made for a rationed supply of white pine to the Australian market.” Mr Langstone said that apart from the present negotiations fie had allowed 5,000,000 • feet of white pine to be exported under license this yeaV as New Zealand'had more stocks on'hancl than it would, require. This was ' due to a reduction-in the production of butter and to new supplies: of timber coming on the market." ?

.'Representations had been made to the industry in Australia to use a sap rimii-box as container for butter. If this, were agreed to it should be" of material help in the disposal of a lot of sap rimu timber that was a drug on the New Zealand market at the, moment. • ; L • . ,