EXPORT OF TIMBER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 15

EXPORT OF TIMBER

RESTRICTION URGED CONSERVING SUPPLIES LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL VIEWS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] "WELLINGTON, Tuesday On the second reading debate on the Products Export Amendment Bill in the Legislative Council to-day Sir Francis 801 l (Wellington) criticised the Government for allowing the export of timber, pointing out that serious effects would follow from the denudation of New Zealand's timber supplies. His remarks did not apply to Southland beech, but to other timbers, rimu, totara and white pine. Reviewing past history Sir Francis said the National Government and the Massey Government adopted a forest conservation policy. No limitation was placed on the cutting of timber so long as mills cut for the people of New Zealand. The regulations were repealed in the last days of the Coates Government and the repeal was a mistake. If the bill raised the standard of the timber exported it would increase the demand and he urged the Government to examine the position. Sir James Allen (Otago) pointed out that export was not prohibited at present and the passing of the bill would not prohibit it. The measure provided that timber should be of one grade. Sir Heaton Rhodes (Canterbury) said he was in sympathy with Sir Francis Bell. Millions of acres of timber had been destroyed and if there was free export the amount left would be quickly used. The Hon. D. Buddo (Canterbury) favoured restriction of the export of building timber. The Hon. Eliot R. Davis (Auckland) said the bill really provided what Sir Francis Bell was asking for as it would restrict export. The Hou. T. Bloodworth (Auckland) also thought the bill would restrict export. He would like to see timber conserved.

The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Wellington) said the good work Sir Francis Bell and others had done had been modified to a great extent by the troubles of the slump. No doubt pressure had been brought to bear by millers on the Government to get exr port renewed. The Leader of the Council, Hon. R. Masters, baid that £2OOO was on this year's Estimates for conservation and rejuvenation of kauri forests. There was not the same necessity to stop the export of Southland beech as to stop the export of other timbers. The* export of timber was not prohibited in New Zealand, but there was power under the bill to do so by regulation. It was possible the arguments put forward by the Council would carry a certain amount of weight with the Government in giving consideration to whether prohibition should take place on the export of certain types of timber. The bill was passed.