TIMBER IMPORTATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 18

TIMBER IMPORTATIONS.

A DECREASE SHOWN. AMERICAN SOFT WOODS POPULAR. WELLINGTON, July 6. Some weeks ago, when the Dominion snwmillers were complaining of oversea competition in the local markets tne Forestry Department pointed out that the position was being aggravated by the fact that forward orders from America were still coming into the country though the consumption had fallen off from December last. It was predicted that shortly there would be a decrease in the imports, and that this would make the position slightly better for millers. The figures prepared by the department for the month of May have just been released, and these show that the timber imports for that period were over 2,700,000 feet less than for the corresponding month last year. The figures were3,6l4,oooft as compared with 6*348,000ft, and were the lowest since February, 1925. The large decrease is accounted for by the curtailed buying of Australian hardwood poles and sleepers by the various Government departments and local bodies’ agencies. Only 403,000 ft of these classes of timbers were imported for May last, whereas some 200,000 ft more came into the country iti May. 1025. As in other months of the year trade in American soft woods has increased, 1,792,000 ft being imported ns compared with 1,441,000 ft in May last year. Donglis fir and hemlock account for the increase, cedar being the only other soft wood imported to any extent, having fallen from 581,000 ft to 391,000 ft. The growing importation of hemlock is due to its increasing use for general interior building work. The prices on the Western Pacific Coast of America have hardened during the last two months. Taking the average Customs values, which equals the domestic value in the country of origin, plus 10 per cent, of rough sawn, Dougins fir, the principal soft wood Imported, has risen by 15s Id per 100 ft for May, compared with 13s Id per 100 ft for April, and 10s 2d per 100 ft for March, which is a 50 per cent, increase within two months. It is considered unlikely, however, that prices will rise any further.