SALES OF TIMBER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 304, 21 November 1934, Page 6

SALES OF TIMBER.

TRADE WITH ENGLAND. ACTIVITY BY SAWMILLERS. WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. Sawmilling interests in New Zealand have been active in promoting trade in indigenous timbers with England, and a very satisfactory measure of trade has resulted. This statement, made yesterday by Mr A. Seed, secretary of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association, was prompted by a cablegram published yesterday and containing the editorial opinion of the London Times on the question of New Zealand forestry. ' It was reported that the Times, in a leader, commended the New Zealand forestry policy, extolled Lord Bledisloe’s activities in that connection, and emphasised the necessity for increased education of the public regarding the possibilities of New Zealand timbers. It added that Britain’s demand for timber was greater than ever, and trade in it with New Zealand only awaited marketing skill in order to grow. “We heartily endorse the approving references made to the activities of Lord Bledisloe in forestry matters and the timber industry,” said Mr Seed, “for we have many examples of the helpful interest he has taken in these subjects.”

About two years ago a mission comprising Mr R, R. Bauehop, of Southland, and Mr A. R. Entrican, of the State Forest Service, visited England with the primary object of establishing a market there for silver beech for the motor-body trade. While they were there they also established trade connections for other New Zealand timbers,, such as rimu and matai. This mission was promoted by co-operative efforts within the industry, assisted by the Government and overseas shipping companies. Their efforts had already borne fruit. Of the substantial orders for silver beech secured some 359,386 feet (board measurement) had already been dispatched, and further shipments were in various stages of drying and conditioning at the central assembly and grading yards at Kew, on the outskirts of Invercargill. An interesting phase of the silver beech trade with England was that the beech forests were peculiar!? adapted to natural regeneration, saia Mr Seed. Under proper forestry management the industry could be placed on a perpetual basis on a rotation of probably sixty or eighty years, and now that practically all the remaining areas of beech forest were under the jurisdiction of the State Forest Service the conserving of cutover areas for regeneration would be plaoed on a sound and lasting basis. New Zealand beech was a relatively fast-growing timber, and consequently regenartion could be put into practioo.