TIMBER PRODUCTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 2 October 1936, Page 6

TIMBER PRODUCTION

METHODS AND COSTS. DIRECTOR’S CRITICISM. (Bv Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) V > " WELLINGTON Oct. 1. New Zealand’s sawn timber production last year, 300 million feet, was 50 million feet in excess of the preyious year and twice the total ot the record Jow cut of 1932. The greater part of the increase was in rimu, but the annual report of I orcst Service states that the insignis pine, which was the only timber to maintain constant expansion of output during the depression, reached a new height, with 2/ million feet. The rapid expansion of the domestic demand has caused an _ exccssii e amount of insufficiently dried timber to be used for building, and the Director of Forests suggests that the industry, with virtually a protective tariff against well-dried imported timbers, is under a heavy obligation to offer a better drying service to the community. Several increases in wholesale prices occurred during the year, the . additional mill realisation on rimu being Is per 100 feet. The report suggests that efficient producers should obtain a fair return on their investment. Discussing sawmilling methods, the report is exceedingly critical, stating that the relatively high degree of efficiency in logging is not being reflected in milling. Not infrequently mills replacing those destroyed by lire are a “copybook pattern” of those of 50 years ago, not including a single modern machine. The Director of Forests expresses the opinion that with virtually a prohibitive tariff and the exchange barrier the milling industry is under an obligation to reduce costs.