TIMBER RESTRICTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17268, 18 September 1919, Page 9

TIMBER RESTRICTIONS.

RIMU AND WHITE PINE.

CONSERVING LOCAL SUPPLIES. EFFORTS-OF BOARD OF TRADE. [m- TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL BEPO4&EB] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. Referring to the effects of the timber regulations on the milling of white pine and rimu, the report of the Board of Trade says: — " Immediately after the regulations were gazetted, a return whs called for from each sawmill, showing the names of persons to whom quantities of white pine i in excess of 50.000 ft had been supplied during-the twelve months ended March 31.' 1918. Upon the receipt of these returns a communication was addressee! to each of the white pine users so disclosed, requesting information as to the estimated requirements of white pine for the ensuing twelve months. •■These figures showed the total anticipated Dominion consumption for the twelve months ending July 31, 1919, to be 36 535.000 ft. comprised" as follows:— Butter boxes. 9.941.000 ft; cheese crates. 9.323.000 ft; casks. 4.379,000 ft; general. 12.892.000 ft. This total quantity represented approximately 60 per cent, of the total estimated output, and on this basis the restrictions were put into operation as from December 1. 1918, each sawmill being required to supply to the New Zealand market 60 per cent, of its total output. The effect of fixing the quota, on a percentage basis was to restrict the output of each sawmill to a quantity of 66 per cent, in excess of the quantity from that mill that could be disposed of in NewZealand. For instance, to justify the production of 100.000 ft, New Zealand orders for 60,000 ft must be in sight. Alteration in System. '• At a later date, the board was advised that it was not the policy of the Government to delay the cutting of white pine from land that was suitable for agricultural purposes as it was desired as far as possible to assist progressive settlement. In order to meet this position, and at the same time to ensure that there would be no shortage of supplies for the New Zealand market, it was decided that, the system of fixing the quota of white pine be altered, and that each sawmill be allotted a definite quantity that must be supplied out of its production to the. New Zealand market, a permit to export being given for all timber produced in excess of that quantity.

"As a result of the enforcement of the regulations, the difficulty previously experienced hi obtaining supplies of white pine for Dominion use has disappeared, and inquiries recently instituted disclose that the whole of the white pine users are at present holding full stocks. Butter-box Experiments. " With a view to conserving for itself supplies of white pine for butter boxes, etc., the Northern Dairy Association, which represents practically the whole of the dairy companies in the Auckland district, is at present negotiating f<>r the purchase of suitable blocks of timber, and . proposes to instal its own wmillinir and' boxmaking plant. Experiments, with a view to discovering a substitute for white pine for butter boxes, are continually being made, and several proposals have been brought under the notice of the board. A box has recently been patented by an Auckland sawmiller, built of white' pine veneer, which, it is claimed, contains only about one-eighth of the quantity of white pine at present used in each box. and which can be produced somewhat more cheaply than the price at present ruling for butter boxes. The dairy section of the Department of Agriculture is conducting practical tests to prove its suitability or otherwise for the export trade. " The restrictions on export were applied to rimu as from April 1 last, the quota for Dominion use for the three months, from April 1 to June 30, 1919. being fixed at 75 per cent, of the total quantity of rimu produced. Statistics that had been collected indicated that the! New Zealand market would consume this percentage of the output for that period. The effect of fixing the quota on this percentage basis was that as production increased the quantity available for export would also increase. Alarming Increase in Export. Th© following returns, compiled b<- the Customs Department, for the years endDecember 31. in each case show- that the export of rimu has been increasing at an alarming rate. Quantity exported. Year. in fee*. 1913 851.500 , 1914 . . 13,007,000 1915 14.195.000 1916 . 15.31-2.000 1917 167,000 1918 . . . . ?0.391,000 'Note -The export during 1913 would be affected by the strike ) " In view of the position as disclosed bv these figures, it w-s decided that the basis of fixing the export quota should be altered, and as a result for the period from July 1. 1919. to March 31, 1920. the amount for export from the whole of the mills in New Zealand has been fixed at a definite, quantity, this quantity beinc alio cated by the board among the various exporting mills. The exportable quantities will bo reduced in each succeeding year. Increased production will therefore mean an increase in the amount available for use in New Zealand. Meeting Local Requirements. '" There is at present a very keen demand for building timber, and any increased output can be absorbed by the ' New Zealand market. Inquiries recently | made, indicate that in some localities the ! production of timber is not sufficient to I supplv local requirements. Although perj mits have been issued in accoirianee with i the hoard's allocation of exporting ■ ! a special condition is attached in all cases I reserving the right to the Iwiard to cancel | permits in the event of any local shorti age existing. The board is therefore in I a position to ensure that the full require- | ments of the Dominion for buildin" timber j will he met, provided that the demand is I not in excess of the production. I The possibility of increasing prod noI tiriii is wholly dependent on the supplv of I suitable labour, and sawmillers are at ' present experiencing the greatest difficult*lin securing such labour. In a number of I cases it has not yet been possible for ! mill* to recopinicii'e operation.- that were ! discontinued when labour was withdrawn ' fin the Expeditionary Force."