TIMBER TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 226, 24 August 1932, Page 6

TIMBER TRADE.

SIGNS OF lAIPROVEAIENT. A brighter tone in the timber trade is apparent at the close of a difficult year, according to the annual report of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association. The report states there has been considerable development in the demand for timber usvd for oil, fruit and produce containers. “Our sympathy is not onlv with th * unfortunate sawmillers, but possibly more so with the great number of those splendid fellows— the bush and null employees who have been deprived of their normal means of livelihood." states the report in referring to the decline in timber production over all mills of 40.4 per cent, from the 1930-31 figures.

Timber prices, it was observed, continue to decline. In a recent survey conducted by a group of North Island mills it. had been found that average mill prices actually were lower than those ruling in ISI4. During reconi months, on the other hand, there had been a revival of the demand from Australia for white pine. Anotlu r pleasing feature in the latter part of the year was a distinct improvement in inquiry for rinni, and indications seemed to warrant definite hopes that this trade with Australia might resume appreciable proportions when the financial position of the Commonwealth improved. Toward the close of the year there had been also a gratifying resumption of a certain decree ot demand for silver beech. >ra . < r?.' ca lly the onlv branch of the sawmilling industry kept fairlv fully employed had been that supplying containers. Three large oil companies were now using New Zealand woods tor cases. Moreover, practicnllv all export cases for the past fruit season had been supplied bv New Zealand mills, while the trade in butter hnv and cheese crate woods also had in proved. At the same time, the impu - tation of butter boxes had decrease. 7 by more than 42 per cent., and th;r. of cheese orate shooks bv more than fc>o per cent.