TIMBER INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21554, 27 July 1933, Page 11

TIMBER INDUSTRY

IMPROVED PROSPECTS OPTIMISM OF MINISTER ADDRESS TO SAWMILLERS [by telegraph OWN correspondent] WELLTNGTON, Wednesday An optimistic note regarding the future of tlio sawmilling industry was struck by the Commissioner of State I'orests, Hon. E. A. Ransom, to-day, wben opening the annual conference of the New Zealand Federated Sawmillers' Association. "It is estimated," said JNTr. Ransom, "that the timber produced in the Dominion for the year ended March 31 last amounted to approximately 154,000,000 feet, or about the same quantity as for the previous year. This indicates that the sawmilling industry is at least holding its own. With the increased demand for timber which must arise as old stocks are being exhausted and building becomes more general, I think sawmillers may look forward with some confidence to an early return to better conditions. "Of the 527 established sawmills 465 are working exclusively in native forests and 62 exclusively in exotic plantations. It is probably well knojvn that at least 30 per cent of these mills are temporarily closed, whilo 43 per cent are working only part time. Although the figures aro not impressive they yet show a distinct improvement on the figures for the corresponding period of last year and lend further support to my previous remark. The industry has not declined over the past 12 months. The overseas demand for white pine is still fairly keen, and supplies easy of access are becoming increasingly scarce." In response to numerous inquiries regarding the exploitation of "store" timber in South Westland, the Minister said, ho had instructed that a block bo appraised and offered for disposal by public tender as soon as conveniently possible. White pine cut from that bush would be for local consumption and not for export- Southern millers would, of course, realise that the reason the timber had not been milled long ago was the great difficulty of access and extraction. Earlier attempts to establish a working harbour at Okarito had been unsuccessful and it remained to be seen whether practical access to the locality from the sea would bo made financially successful. Until a definite change for the better occurred in the milling industry, Mr. Ransom proposed to continue the concessions to sawmillers operating in State forests which had been in force over the last two years. "It is pleasing to record the success which attended the visit of representatives from the federation and the department who went to England last year to seek a market for Southland beech and I congratulate you on the results obtained," said the Minister. "I am sure you will all agree that the orders already placed augur well for further trade with the Country. The number of drying kilns now in operation throughout the Dominion is indicative of tlio increasing interest taken by certain millers to ensure that their'timber will be placed on the market as well seasoned as possible. In my judgment this is a very wise move and a very necessary one if our timber is to hold its own against foreign competition. It is well known that kiln drying is extensively practised in Europe and America and the result is shown by the excellent condition of timber produced from those continents."