TIMBER EXPORT

Otago Witness, Issue 3442, 2 March 1920, Page 45

TIMBER EXPORT

THE POSITION EXPLAINED. RECIPROCAL TRADE AGREEMENT. WELLINGTON, February 17. Mr Massey referred to-day to fhe blame cast on the Government in some quarters for permitting the export of timber to Australia while there is an apparent shortage of timber in New Zealand. He said that the position did not appear to be generally understood. It was a fact that certain quantities of timber were being exported to Australia. The reason was that the New Zealand Government. at the express request of the Australian Government, had entered into a reciprocal arrangement by which the commonwealth was to allow the export of coal to the dominion in return for certain New Zealand timber essential to the commonwealth butter industry. "Not merely coal, but also salt, superphosphates, wheat, and hardwoods are required in New Zealand," added Mr Massey, "and we have to look to Australia, where the export is under the control of the Commonwealth Government, for a large proportion of these supplies. Another point is that the boats bringing coal from Australia to New Zealand have to be sent, back loaded on the return voyage. They take timber cargoes in accordance with the arrangement with the Commonwealth Government. It is interesting to note that for the four months from July 1 last a total of only 8,438,000 feet was produced, which is equivalent to upwards of 25,000,000 feet for the year, and the export of timber for the period amounted to 1,245.000 feet, equivalent to only about 3,500.000 feet for the year, as compared with the export' of 10 454.000 feet for the year ended March 31, 1918.