British Timber Prices Increase 20 P. C In Year

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 39, 16 February 1937, Page 12

British Timber Prices Increase 20 P. C In Year

LIVERPOOL. —An outstanding feature iii the softwoods branch of the timber trade in Britain during 1930 has been a steady rise in prices to 20 per cent above that at the beginning of the year. This rise applies not only to the Scandinavian countries, but to eastern and western Canadian products as well. The gains have been maintained despite of timber available and imported over previous years. The increase in price may bo accounted for in part by better world trade conditions and by tho artificial stimulus which has been given by increased national expenditure on armaments, but chiefly to building activity. The beginning of tho upward treud can be traced to tho timber convention first held in 1933, when Sweden, Finland, Russia and Poland all ugreed to limit their production for export to Europe markets. This gave a confidence to tho timber market which had before been lacking, owing to tho fear prevalent that the fall would always see large quantities unloaded at knock out prices. This convention again ratified its agreement as to total quantities for export during 1937. Even at the great increase over last year’s opening prices, tho demand which met the recent issue of the Russian stock notes for 1937 was phenomenal, and it is certain that many of the importers applying for allotments will have to turn to Sweden and Finland to fill their requirements. Largo quantities liuvo already, been sold from these two countries; and with British Columbia so confident of the market rising still further that she will not sell ahead, the prospects ure that business will bo conducted at so high a level in 1037 as to make reselling in Britain an increasingly difficult opera tion.