Minister Reviews Prospects For Timber

Chronicle (Levin), 7 May 1948, Page 5

Minister Reviews Prospects For Timber

— WELLINGTON, May (j. A materinl increase in the production of timber, part reularlv softwoods, for at least the next ten 'years, is a fore cust by the Comniissioner of Ktate Forests, Mr. Skinner. The Minister stated that the assessnient of the prob able world timber production over tlu next 10 to 15 years, had been perhajn the most important ])tirpose of a recent visit overseas by the Director of Fores try, Mr. A. 1L Entrican. As a result the Government felt it was justilied in materially • increasing production ii: view of tlie substan'tial demand, particularlv for softwood timbers, for at least tlie next decade. He conceded tlu possibility of some recessions in trade during tliat period but said theri wouhi 1)0, genorally speaking, a sellers' market for softwoods. Tlu; Government had realised that the maximum utilisation of our exotit forests was necessary in the interests of the national economy °but felt that it could not proceed with the enormous develo])ments involved without investi gating the world timber t'orward supph position. .Mr. Entrican 's investigation luul'satisned the Government that, ii \iew of reconstruction- and rehabilita timi activities in devastated Europe. aiul the accumulated arrears of repairs. maintenaiice and new eapital construction in the shape of public buildings, factories and houses, there would be a substantial shortage of softwood timber for anything up to 15 years. Tlie true extent of the - timber shortage wouhi not be apparent until the prevailing currency and manpower difficulties were ■ overconie, said Mr. Kkinner, but Avhile some easing of timber prices would occur. as in fact had alreadv developed on the west coast of Nortli America, nevertlieless a hardening in prices J could be auticipated as the result of an i increased demand a^ soon as a solution of ihe currency and manpower prob-. 1 lems allowed tlie full extent of the accumulated shortages to develop. The Government felt justilied in materially increasing production to meet not only the demand resulting from increasijig immigration but also the'inucli more increased demand whicli must similarly develop from Australia. It was for tliat reason tliat a substantial number of Bvvedish log frames like those already operating at a mill of the Htate Forest Hervice, had recently been purchased. /