SHARP INCREASE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 8

SHARP INCREASE

Exports of Timber ALL SPECIES SHARE IN BETTER DEMAND Trade With Australia Timber exports from New Zealand for the first eleven months of last year increased by 7,000,000 feet, board measurement, a gain of approximately 30 per cent, over the corresponding period of 1933. Imports at the same time increased by about 6,000,000 feet, or 60 per cent. The Commissioner of State Forests, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, who also is Minister of Lands, explained yesterday that, in spite of the somewhat larger proportional increase in timber imports, a favourable timber trade balance of approximately 14.000,000 feet existed in favour of New Zealand. The exports for the eleven months period last year were 30,074,000 feet valued at £278,670, as compared with 22,832,000 valued at £210,740 for the corresponding period in 1933. Imports were 15,785,000, worth £195,520, as against 10,028,000 (£119,570). Oak Imports Increase. The importation of Australian hardwoods. which do not actually compete with New Zealand production to any considerable extent, totalled over 9,000,000 feet, and there were thus introduced into the country approximately only 6.000,000 feet of timber actually competing with native species. The production of New Zealand timber for the same period was estimated at approximately 240,000,000 feet, and the importation of competitive timbers was thus not very great. The importation of butter boxes fell off considerably in 1934, but on the other hand oak importations increased, indicating revived trade in the furnituremanufacturing industries. Mr. Ransom said that the increase in the export trade had been shared by all species, but rimu and beech had shown the greatest proportional increased trade. The export of rimu particularly increased during 1934, the exports for the eleven months of the year exceeding that of any year since 1923. He considered that the increased trade was likely to be maintained. AS far as beech was concerned the export of over 300,000 feet to Great Britain and an increased demand in Australia accounted for the export. Exports to Australia. As regards the export of timber to Australia, about which there has been some criticism of the New Zealand Government’s policy, an official summary of the position shows that, as a result of the present trade treaty between the two countries, the Dominion’s exports of rough-sawn timber have increased to a considerable extent. Before the agreement was entered into at the end of 1933, New Zealand rough-sawn timber was imported into Australia free of duty, but had to pay a sales tax of 5 per cent, and a primage of 10 per cent. As a result of New Zealand’s representations, the present agreement admits New Zealand rough-sawn timber free of primage duty. The sales tax. however, has to be paid at the rate of 5 per cent, because sales tax is also payable on Australian rough-sawn timber. The exports of rough-sawn timber to Australia during the past five years have been as follow;.—

November). So far as logs are concerned, our exports are not very extensive, because New Zealand charges an export duty on kauri and white pine logs of 5/- per 100 sup. ft. and 3/- per 100 sup. ft. on flitches of kauri and white pine.

Superficial feet. £ 1930 . . 25,669,000 283,312 1931 . . 16,839,000 161.660 1932 . . 26,238,000 239,114 1933 . . 24,746,000 225,785 1934 . . 28,942,000 265.380 (11 months