Minister Explains Timber Position

Chronicle (Levin), 21 October 1949, Page 7

Minister Explains Timber Position

Press Association )

(Per

WELLINGTON, Oct. 20. The policv of lestraining exports of native timbers dated back to just after Ihe First World War, said the Minister of Forests, Mr. Skinner, tonight, wiien commenting on vvhat he termed misunderstandings about tlie timber trade with Australia. Mr. Skinner said alinost 8,000,00U board t'eet of native timber was cxported last year and this -vear the figure might reacli the 7,(100,000 mark but this represcnted only about 2,j per cent of current production of native timber which was not more than a token shipment. Mr. Skinner said New Zealand was under an obligation to send to Australia, if practicable, up to 10,000,000 board feet of silver beechand up to 12,000,000 board feet annually of indigenouS softwoods. Because of shipping difficulties, New Zealaud had been unal)le to mect these comuiitments except in silver beech but' in exchange for token shipmeuts actually made to Australia, we had received in most years two to three tiines as inuch in Australian hardwoods. Mr.'Skinner said that if New Zealand lost access to these hardwoods, the diversion of labour and resources to providing substitutes would decrease the output of buiiding timbers by at least 20,000,000 board feet which was three tiines the quantity now being exported to Australia.