WHITE PINE EXPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17696, 3 February 1921, Page 6

WHITE PINE EXPORT.

AUSTRALIAN DEMAND SLACK.

(AMERICAN COMPETITION.

THE QUESTION OF PRICE.

The demand for New Zealand white pine timber in Australia has dropped very considerably during the last two or three months, and, recently, one or two sailing vessels which usually carry this class of timber to Australia have been unable to obtain cargoes. At least two sailing ships have left for Australia in ballast, and another had only a part load of timber.

Discussing this matter yesterday, a business man with a knowledge of the trade said the reason for the slackening off of the Australian demand for white pine was strong competition, chiefly from America. ."Mich American soft woods as Oregon and spruce were now being landed in Australia at practically pre-war prices, and white pine ; at the prices now asked, could not meet this competition. The position to be that the New Zealand exporters would have to be content with lower profits or work their forests more economically. The cost of timber production in New Zealand, he believed, was higher than that of any other country. The only thing which would close the Australian market to white pine was too high a price, because it was suitable for f-ther purpose than butter-box making. It had been used largely for case-making, and also for the flooring and lining of houses, seeing that the borer did not at'ack it in Australia. He certainly believed that the Australian market for white pine would continue provided the price was on a par with that of other soft woods. Generally speaking, he added, the prices asked fc New Zealand timber in Australia were higher than the local prices— no Government control operated outside the Dominion—and there was prob~My room for a reduction.