TIMBER TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23104, 1 August 1938, Page 7

TIMBER TRADE

DECLINE IN EXPORTS JMPORTS INCREASING DEMAND FOR HARDWOODS Importations of timber have increased in the past three jears on > on the other hand, exports have declined. Since 1935 the value of imports has exceeded exports, but more than 60 per cent of timber admitted into the Dominion in the period comprised Australian hardwoods for railway sleepers, poles, bridge-building and suqJi like. Such timbers do not compete to any great extent with New Zealand timbers. The Director of Forestry, Mr. A. D. McGavock, explains :in his annual report that imports of' timber in the calendar year 1937 to 39,000,000 board feet. The largest item was 24,000,000 board feet of Australian hardwoods for poles and sleepers, representing a 20 per cent increase over the previous year, duo to extensive railways and public works constructional activities.

Control of White i?lne Exports Owing to shipping difficulties the importations of North American softwoods were smaller than anticipated and, though Douglas-fir imports rose from 4,000,000 board feet to 6,500,000 board feet, there was a decrease in the imports of redwood. Virtually the whole of the imports of all timbers must be regarded as unavoidable in the year because the local substitutes were not available. Exports continued to decline in 1937 and the recession from the 1936 figure of 27,000,000 board feet to less than 18,000,000 board feet was largely because white pine exports were reduced through the paramount necessity of conserving supplies of this timber for domestic uses. The extreme shortage for essential local requirements which developed in 1936 finally necessitated the complete control of white pine exports in 1937, and it was thought unlikely that any substantial increase in the exports of this timber could bo anticipated. Values In Past Three Years The values of exports and imports of timber in the past three years were as follows: — EXPOHTB 1935 1030 1937 £ St iJ "Whito pino .. 214,'J40 140,000 82,370 Rinm .. 69,000 49,800 84,000 All special, in- „ _ eluding abovo 365,190 265,700 201,540

IMPORTS Hardwoods .. 298,000 270,890 342,890 Oak . .. 24,700 40,780 00,350 Softwoods .. 54,030 P3.090 108,520 All special. Including above 394,000 422,350 557,330 Increased imports of oak were due to tho demands of the furniture industry. While the report of the director emphasises tho opinion that any substantial increase in exports of timber is unlikely, tho prospects appear bright for a steadily increasing market in Australia for o.b. matai, which is difficult to sell, in tho Dominion, and also for rimu. ELDER, SMITH COMPANY UNCHANGED FINAL DIVIDEND A final dividend of 3J per cent has been declared by tho directors of Elder, Smith and Company, Limited, wool brokers, Adelaido, making 7 per cent, unchanged, for the year ended June .'3O. Payment will bo mado on September 1. FIRM FRUIT MARKET LONDON APPLE PRICES LONDON, July 29 Fruit has remained firm, though some parcels were in variable condition. Apples aro firm. New Zealands from cold storo sold as follows: —Sturmers, 9s 9d to 10s 6dj Granny Smiths, 12s to 15s 3d.