KAURI-GUM INDUSTRY (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1939.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1939 Session I, C-12

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1939. NEW ZEALAND.

KAURI-GUM INDUSTRY (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1939.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 5 of the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914.

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist August, 1939. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report under the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914, for the year ended 31st March, 1939. I have, &c, R. G. Macmobean, Under-Secretary. The Hon. Frank Langstonc, Minister of Lands.

Although during the year there was a steady demand for high-grade chip gum at a fairly good price,, there was a marked falling off in inquiries for the lower grades of this type of gum, and as a whole conditions in the market did not improve appreciably. As in previous years, the sale of the higher-quality gum, suitable for use in the varnish trade, remained sluggish ; shipments were made to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the United States of America, Fiji, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Germany, and Italy, and, as hitherto, Great Britain took the bulk of these exports. The demand from America was poor, but sufficient to show that there was still possibility for expansion in that direction. Production during the year was ample to meet all demands. It appears, however, that the present stagnant conditions prevailing will continue until such time as kauri-gum can be produced for marketing in a purer form. During the year research work has been carried out by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in connection with the development of a process for the refining of the lower grades of kaurigum. This matter is dealt with in detail in the Dominion Laboratory section of the annual report of that Department. The Director of Internal Marketing has supplied the following report on the Division's activities in the kauri-gum-marketing arrangements : — " In October, 1937, the Internal Marketing Division undertook to render a measure of assistance to kauri-gum diggers by arranging minimum prices for various types and qualities of gum at which buyers would operate. " In the event of buyers or merchants failing to purchase at these figures, the Division agreed to find a market for diggers' gum. It is pleasing to be able to say that buyers have co-operated with the Division to the fullest extent and it has not been necessary to actually make any purchases, although on many occasions the Division has assisted diggers to find a buyer at arranged prices. " The object of the Division's activities has obviously been to enable diggers to remain on the fields, and the confidence given the market by the Division's action has made this possible. Appreciation of the Government's action has been expressed by kauri-gum diggers. "■ The Division has also investigated the internal and overseas markets, with the object of expanding and continuing sales. " During the visit of the Hon. Minister of Marketing to America and England in this year an opportunity was taken to meet gum-importers, with the object of encouraging the further use of New Zealand's kauri-gum."

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Export of Kauri-gum. For the year ended 31st March., 1939, the export amounted to 2,360 tons, of the value of £105,169, an average price of about £45 per ton. The tonnage, value, and average price per ton of the export for the past sixteen years are — Year ended Tonnage v , Average 31st March, exported. v ■ per Ton. £ £ 1924 6,923 640,712 92 1925 5,432 446,019 82 1926 5,495 414,420 75 1927 4,529 301,335 66 1928 4,531 267,559 59 1929 4,566 241,223 .53 1930 4,941 264,452 53 1931 3,145 155,602 49 1932 3,164 124,757 39 1933 2,060 57,970 28 1934 3,378 83,945 25 1935 3,412 91,070 27 1936 2,669 75,802 28 1937 3,613 119,649 33 1938 2,491 126,612 51 1939 2,360 105,169 45 Details of the yearly export, and the country to which exported, from 1927 to 1939 are given below :—

Particulars of Kauri-gum exported from New Zealand from 1st April, 1927, to 31st March, 1939, inclusive.

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Country to | 1st April, 1027, to 1st April, 1928, to j lat April, 1920, to 1st April, 1930, to 1st April, 1931, to 1st April, 1932, to whloh exported. 31st March, 1928. 31st March, 1929. ! 31st March, 1930. 31st March, 1931. 31st March, 1932. 31st March, 1938 I Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ United States of 2,087 120,349 2,387 139,672 1,967 127,723 823 46,510 681 33,082 268 11,208 America United Kingdom 2,043 .127,401 1,504 77,479 2,425 117,677 1,957 96,679 1,968 71,572 1,298 36,150 Germany ' .. 119 6,613 234 7,949 100 2,646 62 1,508 52 6,725 70 1,104 Canada .. 165 6,329 208 7,448 202 7,169 127 4,726 178 4,156 169 3,157 Australia .. 33 1,448 8 408 106 3,908 37 1,423 65 1,862 91 2,251 Belgium .. .. .. 60 1,094 30 635 43 975 69 1,154 15 230 France .. 60 3,915 150 5,206 89 3,764 71 2,701 94 4,173 83 2,452 Switzerland Netherlands .. 3 483 29 1,068 2 285 4 218 Sweden .. 1 132 10 282 32 837 11 218 Italy .. .... .. 10 127 31 555 .Tapan.. .. 20 843 26 772 20 645 11 580 30 1,196 24 645 Hong Kong China .. .. .. 25 .. South African .. 21 Union Fiji Totals .. 4,531 267,559 4,566 241,223 4,941 264,452 3,145 155,602 3,164 124,757 2,060 57,970 Country to I 1st April, 1933, to 1st April, 1934, to 1st April, 1935, to 1st April, 1936, to 1st April, 1937, to 1st April, 1938, to which exported. 31st March, 1934. 31st March, 1935. 31st March, 1930. 31st March, 1937. 31st March, 1938. 31st March, 1939. . __ Tons. £ Tona. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ United States of 875 30,174 394 20,602 553 24,488 478 28,844 548 38,010 169 13,179 America United Kingdom 1,730 37,218 2,267 54,365 1,570 39,181 2,200 62,963 1,486 65,921 1,535 60,484 Germany .. 325 5,093 251 4,986 41 769 78 2,241 37 1,910 36 1,806 Canada .. 94 2,530 114 2,623 62 1,689 263 8,228 205 9,988 237 11,035 Australia .. 120 3,355 150 3,588 171 3,058 311 7,575 27 1,238 135 6,243 Belgium .. 11 208 .. .. 42 889 21 618 13 837 .. France .. 143 3,642 116 2,768 122 3,193 144 5,584 47 2,639 73 3,721 Switzerland 20 512 Netherlands 3 90 11 262 37 943 21 1,021 33 1,810 Sweden .. 20 461 .. .. 57 1,043 16 560 61 2,247 22 785 Italy .. .. 28 494 75 825 4 245 .. .. .. .. 30 1,160 Japan.. .. 32 744 42 1,223 36 985 45 1,581 46 2,801 87 4,937 Hong Kong .. .. 26 China South African Union Fiji .. 1 9 Totals .. 3,378 83,945 3,412 91,070 2,669 75,802 3,613 119,649J 2,491 126,612 2,360 105,169

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Production during the Ybab. The kauri-gum received at Auckland from the gumfields for the past eight years is shown, month by month, in the following table:— 1931-32. 1932-33. 1988-34. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. 1938-39. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. April .. .. .. 309 405 240 202 221 346 305 65 May .. .. ..394 245 161 224 211 229 249 251 June .. .. .. 263 144 238 148 164 107 350 100 July .. .. ..244 153 162 150 258 139 368 204 August .. ..251 43 150 193 172 181 162 427 September .. ..208 128 219 201 134 142 164 75 October .. ..192 176 320 307 220 154 252 284 November .. .. 276 182 326 243 260 501 74 243 December .. .. 172 188 209 268 190 291 127 226 January .. .. 194 167 165 312 182 160 136 113 February .. ..277 213 325 274 220 265 86 208 March " .. .. 224 185 289 336 160 233 200 100 Totals .. 3,004 2,229 2,804 2,858 2,392 2,748 2,473 2,296 Kauri-gum Industry Account. The assets of the Kauri-gum Industry Account have been realized, and the account has been abolished by statute.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (585 copies), £4

Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —l 939.

Price 3c?.]

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