TIMBER PRODUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23115, 13 August 1938, Page 18

TIMBER PRODUCTION

PROGRESSIVE INCREASE PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Friday The increased production of milled timber in New Zealand over the four years from 1934-35 onward was the subject of comment in the report presented at the annual general meeting of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers' Association in Wellington. '•'The figures disclose a progressive increase in sawmilling activity over the four years which is most heartening," the report stated. "But for the present most disquieting trend toward completely unbalanced consumption and demand, the continued definite house shortage and future building needs of the Dominion presage a period of sustained vigour and activity in our industry for a number of years to come. "We advisedly use the words 'vigour and activity' rather than tho word 'prosperity,' for prosperity in the industry is dependent upon the maintenance of a reasonable margin of monetary return over actual costs, and this in turn must he governed by the ability of the industry to find markets for and dispose of the whole of the qualities and grades contained in tlu 1 trees as nature grew them. "The present undue and excessive demand for hoartwood grades seems likely to discount severely the possibility of retaining the industry upon a profitable basis "