TIMBER PROBLEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 222, 18 September 1940, Page 5

TIMBER PROBLEM.

STOCKS DISAPPEAR. FURNITURE TRADE'S NEED. An acute shortage of timber in the furniture trade in Auckland, and other parts of NeV Zealand, is stated to be. imminent unless iYnmcdiate action is taken by the Government to issue import licenses for shipments of oak from Japan to supply Dominion requirements. Merchants' stocks of oak are reported to be almost exhausted, and further supplies cannot be obtained until new licenses are granted. "The position is becoming serious," said a leading merchant this morning. "Urgent representations have been made to the Department of Industries and Commerce, and departmental officers have been investigating conditions, but so far no decision has been given. We •re anxiously awaiting an announcement. Customs schedules for the fifth period are expected to be published shortly, and we are hoping that these will assist in relieving the shortage, but meanwhile the situation is gradually growinp worse. Some of the furniture factories are almost clamouring for supplies of oak, and are faced with a most difficult problem. Orders are booked up for weeks ahead, and unless they are able to obtain stocks of essentia] materials some of the manufacturers will have to reduce staff within a few weeks." Seasoned Oak Very Scarce. Inquiries at several factories confirmed the statement that the outlook was critical. It was pointed out that some manufacturers had been unable to secure supplies of seasoned oak in the past few weeks, and that in other instances the rapidly-dwindling stocks at present held would be used up before the end of October. Orders to meet future needs had been booked with the merchants', but no assurance could be held out as to wjien supplies would again be available.

"The shortage of oak is being more severely felt because of the scarcity of seasoned New Zealand timbers, particularly rimu, which might be used as a substitute," declared a manufacturer with 20 years' experience of the trade. Other inquiries revealed that there was considerable difference of opinior regarding the use of rimu in' furniture making. While some factories used a good deal of this timber, there were others which preferred oak even at a much higher price. Some of the largest furniture factories in Auckland, which normally carry from six to twelve months' stocks of timber, find their reserves to-day reduced by half or even more, and although their position is relatively stronger than that of many makers, their outlook is uncertain. Shipment Of Japanese Oak. The largest shipment of Japanese oak. consisting of 180,000 feet, for Auckland, was discharged this month by the Canberra Maru, but some manufacturers are finding that this timber must be allowed to season for about three months before it is in a suitable condition for use in their factories. With this shipment the last of the current import licenses wen exhausted. Although there are stated to be considerable quantities of oak readyl for export in Japan, and shipping space can be arranged - without difficulty, no further orders can be placed in the meantime. Up to the present time oak has been arriving regularly from Japanese ports, it was stated, but the quantities have jeen below requirements ever since tne import restrictions were introduced. In the case of the Canberra Maru shipment was very prompt, and the timber reached Auckland only two months after the cabling of the order. Delivery conditions'from Japan to the Dominion are facilitated by the regular monthly shipping. service. Furniture Fittings Wanted. Alternative sources of supply, in normal circumstances, would be offering in the United States, but war conditions have given rise to such a run on dollar funds that American oak is considered unobtainable under the present licensing control. Limited quantities of Tasmanian oak may be secured, but the quantities offering are regarded as inadequa^

To add to the worries of the manufacturer there is a shortage of hardware furniture fittings, which is reported to be even more serious than the timber problem. The manager of one factory described the position as "becoming desperate," and said hinges and screws had been almost impossible to obtain for at least a month past. It had been necessary to go round the retail shops in an effort to cope with the barest minimum requirements. At one stage he had eighteen bedroom suites stacked up in his premises because he could not secure the fittings to complete them before making deliveries.