SUPPLIES OF TIMBER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17257, 5 September 1919, Page 9

SUPPLIES OF TIMBER.

RESTRICTION OF EXPORTS.

SAWMILLERS' VIEWPOINT.

REMAINING KAURI AREAS.

An expression of opinion, from the sawmillers' point 9{ view, regarding the new regulations affecting the export of timber, was obtained yesterday from Mr. J. Butler, managing director of the Kauri Timber. Company. A summary of the regulations, which aim at a gradual reduction of the export trade, was published in the laei, issue of the Herald.

, " The limitation of the export of timber from New Zealand," said Mr. Butler, "is a response to the feeling that increasing export would soon dimmish local supplies. There are still large areas of miLable timber left, but in some districts the depleted areas give rise to the suspicion that New Zealand is rushing rapidly toward a treeless condition. This really is not so, for there remains on the west coast of the youth Island large tracts of untouched forests, while in the King Country there are still large timber areas that have not been explored sufficiently to determine •what quantity they may contain.

Auckland's Kauri Forests. " Of all our native timbers kauri is suffering the greatest diminution of quantity," proceeded Mr. Butler, " and this has been accentuated by the Government selling kauri forests at points where it has no value except an exportable one. The Governments of years ago wanted the money more than the forests, and apparently the Government of to-day wants the forests more than the money. In the past a limited time, invariably too short, was allowed to remove timber purchased from the Crown. This meant that extension of time for removal of the timber was sought, and for such extension the sawmiller had to make liberal payments to the land boards. This, together with rates, taxes, and interest 'on the capital investment, made the holding of the timber unprofitable, and consequently rapid conversion of the standing timber into sawn timber resulted. Outlets were sought all over the world to enable ho'.dere to fulfil the obligations under which the kauri bush was acquired. This is the unfairness of the present restrictions, for, while the Government is taking measures to keep the timber strictly for New Zealand use, it penalises the holders by way of rates, taxes, and extension fees, for keeping it. " Another bad effect that rates and taxes have is that the settlers having millab'-e bush, instead of waiting for the advent of the miller, are felling and burning it to avoid the cost of holding. It would be a much more consistent policy if the Government were to grant a bonus to holders of forests and so give some encouragement to keep them for utility sake rather than build up conditions that make it more profitable to destroy than to preserve the timber. So far as kauri is concerned the exports show a diminishing ratio, but much of this has been induced by the of mi'.lere to produce timber owing to the depleted labpur markets. The export for 1918 was a great deal less than half the export for 1913. Rimu, on the other hand, has increased more than double during the same period, and it is probably this latter condition that has made the Government cry ' hold.'

Recognition of Domestic Needs. In regard to the present intention of the Government to institute a maximum quantity to be exported, with a yearly decreasing scale, Mr. Butler observed: " This may be wtee now, but the conditions of trade may alter, and in three or four years' time we may be glad of the money brought into the country by the oversea trade. The sawmi'lers have consistently recognised that domestic requirements must be satisfied before export takes r>lace, but even here a disturbing factor crops up, inasmuch ae the export trade takes a grade of timber that is outclassed so far as the local market is concerned. The Government is certainly considerate in the way the application of the restriction has been made, which is by gradually squeezing all export out of existence. Millers are hopeful that the prospective local markets will not only absorb the extra quantity of timber which will be made available by the export restriction, but also the increased production that will take place when the returning and returned soldiers are at work again. The best means of conserving our timber supplies." remarked Mr. Butler, "is the establishment of a vigorous afforestation policy controlled by practical and intelligent men, for there is still time to grow another crop while the present one is being harvested."