THE EXPORT OF TIMBER

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1923, Page 4

THE EXPORT OF TIMBER

The Main Trunk Timber Trade Protection Guild, at its last, annual meeting, made an attack on the Government policy that restricts tho export of timber fsays the Wellington “Post." . The guild says that the restriction amounts to prohibition of expo r t.

Assuming, for argument’s sake, that the last-mentioned contention is correct, a ‘very plain issue is thus raised between tbe supporters and the opponents of the present forestry policy. The issue is so vital that some people are wondering whether the New Zealand Forestry League will lie heard front on the subject.

The main argument for export seems to be flint it is “economic” to exchange our soft woods, which Australia lacks, for Australian hardwoods, which New Zealand needs. Il is contended that if New Zealand paid I'oiwood with wood, the trade balance (adverse to New Zealand) with Australia would be reduced. Tu short, this contention is that New Zealand's timber should lie turned into cash value.

Forest conservationists reply that, even if the matter is considered merely as a cash propostion, it will pay to conserve the timber. Over and above that, they say that, if a policy of export is pursued, forty years at most will exhaust the timber, leaving New Zealand dependent on other countries, which bv that time will also lie approaching forest-destruction; so that New Zealand will be faced not merely with high prices, but with an actual timber-famine. Whore any dwindling natural asset is concerned, the advocates of rapid liquidation always posses more immediate personal interests than tbe advocates of conservation. The l greater energy inherent in such interests cannot be met except by counter- | energy, of an impersonal quality, l among forest conservationists. j Some of the friends of forestry consider that Sir Francis Bell’s restriction J of export policy is in political danger arising out of the commercial considerations referred to above, and that a revival of public attention is needed.