EXPORT OF WHITE PINE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 8 November 1907, Page 2

EXPORT OF WHITE PINE.

COST OF BUTTER BOXES. Per Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. The Minister of Marine was asked to-day by Mr Ell whether his attention had been drawn to the greatly increased cost of butter boxes made of white pine, caused through, the increase in and the scarcity of that timber, due, it :s slated, to the large exportation of this class of timber to Australia and England; if so, will the Government take into consideration the advisability of placing a higher export duty on white pine, in the interests of the dairy industry? The Hon. Mr Millar replied: The Government have information that there has been a considerable increase recently in the cost of white pine timber. The exportation during 190(i shows a decrease of sawn timber as compared with 1905, and the present duty of 3s per 100 superficial feet seems to be effectual in the direction of discouraging the export of logs. The export duty is at present fixed by Order-in-Council at 3s per 100 superficial feet for logs, and 3s per 100 superficial feet for flitches, but the Timber Export Duty Act, 1003, gives authority for increasing the rate on logs to 5s per 100 superficial feet. Tlie suggestion that an export duty should be placed on sawn white pine would involve fresh legislation, and would probably require an increase of the limit Authorised by tlie Act of 1903 for logs. The price of sawn timber is no doubt regulated by the demand in Australia and the United Kingdom, and an imposition of further export duty would probably cheek a valuable export trade. The question as to how far this should he done in the interests of the d.vrying industry is one requiring much consideration, and the Government will give the matter attention during the recess.