Timber Trade Conference

Southland Times, Issue 13502, 20 July 1896, Page 2

Timber Trade Conference

[By Telegraph]. Wellington, July 18. The Timber Conference was opened yesterday by the Premier, about 80 delegates being present. Mr Seddon said the object was to deal with one of the most important industries in New Zealand, which claimed their most serious attention. There had been too wholesale a destruction of forests. Competition in the timber industry was one of great concern and the delegates were called together to see if they could remedy this. The Premier referred to the first shipment of timber from New Zealand to London, and while admitting that it was a failure, said this was no fault of the article, but had been brought about by the timber being stowed under tallow, and, the casks having leaked, the grease had reduced the value of the timber. He had seen enough to show him that there was a market for Now Zealand timber in England. What was required was to know the best class of timber to send. He referred at length to the desirableness of conserving the forests, and also that the Conference should deal with the best trees to plant where the country was denuded of forest. The Conference was, he could see, a thoroughly representative ono, and he suggested the following sub-committees should be established: to report on the timbers best suited for export, building, and joinery ; the planting of trees ; prevention of destruction and preservation of forests. The Premier was cheered.

At the meeting to-day Mr Trapp (Auckland), the President, delivered an address in which he pointed out that there was now a large market in Victoria for white pine; eight or nine million feet would now be taken in place of one several years-figo, He strongly condemned the bad condition in which timber had been sent, especially from Greymouth, the origin of which was the want of proper seasoning. He suggested the establishment of a fund by sawmillers for the purpose of exploiting new markets. Mr Butler (Greymquth) read a paper on the umatisfacory state of the timber trade and proposed various remedies. Five committees were set up to deal with various branches of the subject and the Conference adjourned till Monday afternoon.