NEW ZEALAND PINE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 240, 10 October 1907, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PINE.

A discussion of considerable interest to the Auckland public is proceeding between the timber merchants of New South Wales and Queensland as to the relative merits of Queensland and New Zeaalnd pine. Amongst the other exploits of Sir William Lyne in framing his tariff was the imposition of increased duty on imported timber, and about this the Sydney dealers have been making strenuous protests. Their contention is that the Queensland article, which, of course, does not come within the scope of the increased duty, is inferior to that obtained in New Zealand, while on me other hand the Queensland men are valiantly supporting the new duties. The Sydney and Suburban Timber Merchants' Association, returning to the charge, has forwarded a letter to Sir William Lyne, which contains the following passages of interest to New Zealand, as showing the high regard in which they hold the kauri pine from the Dominion:—"The present annual consumption of New Zealand and Norwegian timbers by the Commonwealth may be set down as approximating 115,000,000 actual superficial feet,whilst during the same period Queensland (after supplying her own requirements) was only able to export from all available sources about four and a-half million feet, equal to about four per cent of the total imported timber consumed by the other States. These figures • speak for themselves, having been obtained from statistical records. It is further stated that Queensland pine is in some respects superior to New Zealand kauri pine. We have yet to learn in what respect it is considered superior, certainly not for the principal timber industries, such as buildings, furniture, boat building, cooper's work, etc. Queensland pine has been used to some extent for joinery purposes by speculative builders, but it is admitted on all sides as being very inferior in comparison with imported timbers for this purpose. Queensland pine is identical with our colonial pine, both bearing the same botanical name (Araucaria Cunninghamii). Another proof of the superiority of New Zealand kauri pine over Queensland pine is tlic number of orders received by Sydney merchants from Queensland firms for the supply of New Zealand kauri. Even its use for the manufacture of butter boxes has been objected to, owing to the peculiar odour which it gives forth., and one Sydney firm has just completed a contract with a Queensland company for the supply of CO,OOO butter boxes made from New Zealand timber. In conclusion, we may say that the Queensland people need feel no concern regarding the disposal of any surplus they may have in excess of their own requirements, for, although their prices to Sydney buyers have increased about 75 per cent in two years, they are, even with this inducement, unable to supply the demands of this State."