THE LUMBER TRADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 51, 28 February 1929, Page 11

THE LUMBER TRADE

DECREASE LAST YEAR [ Special "Chronicle” Service ] WELLINGTON, Feb. 29. Another drop both in imported and exported lumber is revealed by the official figures for the year 1928, hav e just been released. Trade fluctuations for the past year still were great, six of the ten species listed by the Customs Department showing a decrease in the import ledger and three of the five species of timbers exported also showing a drop* While 1927 was considerably below the preceding two years, 1928 fell 1 elow the previous twclv e monthsby 670,009 feet in lumber imported and 1,600,000 feet in that exported. Figures follow:

feet against New Zealand in 1927 and 25,500,000 (£356,000) in 1928. Hardwoods as a group reported decreased importation, but show in increased trade for purposes of furniture manufacture and ornamentation. Building softwoods reported a slight decrease, but this was mor e than balanced by the increased importation of lowpriced hemlock and spruce used for the manufacture of lining, boxes, etc. The United States and Japan were the only countries to show increased exports to New Zealand during 1928, Canada reporting the largest decreased trade. Statistics of softwoods imported are:

Imports Ft. £ 1927 61,768,000 784,720 1928 61,091,000 733,600 Exports Ft. £ 1927 37,181,000 425,930 1928 35,576,000 377,020 Th e balance of trade was 24,580,000

Douglas fir Redwood ;Cedar 1927 17,638,000 7,603,000 2,390,000 1928 16,710,000 7,478.000 2,066,000 27,631,000 26,254,000 Butter boxes 1,808,000 Cheese crates 1,433,000 | Hemlock & spruce 2,307,000 2,006,000 785,000 4,715,000 For all species value decreased ing for previous 5,548,000 7,506,000 i exported the Customs below th 0 figures rulyears.