EXPORT OF TIMBER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 123, 18 February 1920, Page 8

EXPORT OF TIMBER

. vr. - :WHY IT PROCEEDS _ AUSTRALIAN COAL IN RETURN Tho" Government Ims been blamed in some quarters for permitting tho export ojf timber to Australia at tli'e present time, ■when there is an apparent shortage of timber within tho Dominion. lieferrine to this matter yesterday,' the ijprfme .Minister (Right Hon. W. P. Mas~sev) 6aid .that tho position did not appear to bo generally understood. It was a fact that, certain quantities of timber „.wore being'exported to Australia. The 'reason -'was that the New Zealand Governments (it .the. express request of the Australian.Government, had entered into ft reciprocal arrangement by which the (Commonwealth was to allow tho export '"of coal' to'tlio Dominion in return for "■'oertain'New Zealand timber, essential to the Commonwealth butter industry. "Not merely coal, but also salt, superphosphates, wheat, and hardwoods are required in New Zealand," added Mr. Massev. "and we have to look to Australia, .where export is under the control of the Commonwealth Government, for a larce proportion of these supplies. Another point is that boats bringing coal from Australia to New Zealand have to bft-sent back loaded on tho return voy'iure. They take timber cargoes in accordance with the arrangement with the Commonwealth Government. It is in- ' teresting to note that for tho four months ' from July 1 last a total of 8,438,000 ft. of timber was produced, which is equivalent'to upwards of 25,000.000 feet for the •year.. The export of timber for the Deriod am'ounted to 1,215,000 ft. only, ■'emiivalent to about 3.500,000 ft. for the 'year, as compared with an export of 10.451,000 ft. for the year ended March. 31, 1918.