NEW ZEALAND TIMBER,

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 71

NEW ZEALAND TIMBER,

REVOCATION OF EXPORT EMBARGO. ONLY A TEMPORARY MEASURE. WELLINGTON, May 11. Air O. J.. Hawken (commissioner of State forests) stated to-day that somo misapprehension had arisen as to the purpose and effect of the recent Order-in-Council revoking the regulations of the years 1918, 1919, 1922, and 1925, by force of which the exportation of timber from New Zealand was rerestricted. “ The policy of the Govsi^.aaid Air Hawken, “ has been that the native forests should be conserved for the use of the people of New Zealand. That policy continues, and the removal of the restrictions must be looked upon as a temporary expedient with the object of, first, enabling the disposal in Australia and other markets of the large stocks of timber which have accumulated at New Zealand mills consequent on a diminution in the demand for building purposes; and, secondly, enabling sawmill workers to find employment to a much larger extent than has lately been possible.” Continuing, the commissioner pointed out that the cheaper imported timbers, such as redwood and red cedar, have lately been found to be suitable for a number of purposes for which some of our best timbers were formerly used; but nevertheless the available supply of most of our more valuable woods is now so limited that the Government cannot contemplate the permanent unrestricted sale of these timbers in outside markets, more especially as it is evident from the returns that the extra Customs duty imposed on the imported timbers is having the effect of steadying importations. “ All engaged in the trade,” concluded Air Hawken, “ must therefore understand that it will be necessary for the position to be reviewed by the Government from time to time as the conditions now existing become changed, and in making commitments they must keep this in mind.”