DEMAND FOR TIMBER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21881, 17 August 1934, Page 13

DEMAND FOR TIMBER

RIMU AND WHITE PINE SHIPMENTS TO AUSTRALIA IMPROVING EXPORT TRADE [by TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Thursday The timber produced in the Dominion for the year ended March 31 is estimated at approximately 195,000,000 ft. board measure, or 18 per cent higher than the quantity reported for the previous year, states the annual report of the State Forest Service, presented to Parliament to-day. It is anticipated that the greater part of this increase will be accounted for by rimu; the demand for which lias been stimulated both by the building subsidy policy of the Unemployment Board and the improved tone on Australian markets. Kimu, white pine and iusignis pine now constitute over 80 per cent of all the timber produced in New Zealand, while the two provincial districts of Auckland and West land are responsible for over two-thirds of the total cut. The sawmills of the Dominion now number 534. Of this total 29 per cent are closed, 40 per cent are working part-time, and 31 per rent are working full-time. The year's working again showed a slight improvement on the figures for the previous period. The domestic markets showed a considerable improvement during the latter part of the period, firmer prices and reduced discounts reflecting an improved demand for building timbers. More Houses Erected A marked increase occurred in the number of new houses erected, 1981 dwelling permits being issued in the principal towns, compared with only 997 and 1089 for 1933 and 1932. Nevertheless, new housing construction falls far short of actual requirements.

Improved local manufacture and adverse foreign exchange conditions have led to a marked decrease in importations of timber. Whereas only a few years ago substantial quantities of butter, cheese and apples exported from New Zealand were shipped in foreign containers, to-day less than 10 per cent of butter is so shipped, and only negligible quantities of cheese and apples. While the total importations of timber increased substantially on the extremely low figure of 1932, the total of 12,000,000 ft. board measure must be considered small, when it is considered that over 7,000,000 ft. consisted of Australian hardwoods, which are recognised as largely non-competitive with NewZealand timbers. Silver Beech and Rimu

The improvement shown in the export of timber during 1932 was largely maintained during 1933, the year's exports being almost 50 per cent above the low record of 1931, although 5 per cent below the 1932 exports. As a result of the visit of a timber delegation to Great Britain in 1932-33, 180,000 ft. of silver beech and 15,000 ft. of rimu were delivered. The most pleasing feature of the export statistics was the increased export to Australia of rimu, which was almost double the quantity shipped in 1932. If rimu continues to be exported at the same rate as now ruling, the 1934 figures will constitute the highest since 1924. In addition to the English demand for silver beech, which is expected to increase as the timber becomes better known, inquiries have also been received from South Africa and the United States of America. Taking all factors into consideration, the export of New Zealand timber should continue to increase steadily during the next few years.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS DEBATE ON REPORT ART UNION DISTRIBUTIONS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday The annual report of the Internal Affairs Department was considered in the House of Representatives to-day. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, wondered how the Minister was getting on with the demand for donations from art unions. He would like to see something bigger put into operation to give assistance to people m need. Referring to local bodies, he considered that many local bodies coula be abolished. He thought the members should know what the Government had in mind regarding local government reform.