White Pine Supplies

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 291, 9 December 1936, Page 12

White Pine Supplies

ASSURANCE OF CONTINUITY The necessity for keeping up the supply of whito pine for the manufacture of butter boxos in New Zealand is fully recognised by West Coast sawmillers. Tho need for a continuity of supplies was stressed by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Laugstono, as commissioner of State forests, when dis-: cussing tho position last week. The sawmillers in tho West Coast districts, where the greater proportion of white pine was gown, had given assurances that the local demand, when it was ascertained would havo priority over export commitments, said Mr. J. W. Callwell, export secretary of the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association, j For various reasons, the quantities required by some local boxmakers wore not known until very late in the season, said Mr, Callwell. There had b»en a sudden demand for delivery during November and December, which was taxing to the utmost the capacity of the few mills working in whito pine on tho West Coast.

An added difficulty was that trans- I port and other costs had increased during the last three months. This was hindering the full utilisation of tho capacity of those mills whore the transport charges were heaviest. j

In order to avoid in future seasons the uncertainty concerning the quantity of white pine required from the West Coast for th<j North Island, the commissioner of State forests was originating a working pian whereby the necessary supplies for tho North Island would be defined, and would be delivered all tho year round. This would enablo the export trade in white pine to carry on side by side with the local trade, and without prejudice to either.