TIMBER IMPORTS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1926, Page 4

TIMBER IMPORTS

REDUCTION IN VOLUME. WELLINGTON, July G. Some weeks ago when Dominion sawmillors were complaining of overseas competition in the local markets, the Forestry Department pointed out that the position ‘was being aggravated by the fact that forward orders from America were still coming into the country, though consumption had fallen

:\'f from December last. It was predicted (hit shortly there would be a falling-oil in imports, and that this weald make Pie position slightly better for in illers.

Figures prepared by the Department for the month of May have just been released, and they show that timber imports for that period wore over 2,720.009 ft less than for the corresponding month hist year. The figures were 3,0 F! ,030. as compared with G,348,000ft, and were the lowest since February, 1925. The large decrease is accounted for by the curtailed buying of Ansiraliiin hardwood poles and sleepers by various Government Departments and local bodies. Only 108,000 ft of these classes of timbers were imported for May last, whereas some 2,C99,C92ft more came into the country in May, 1925. As in other months of the year trade in American softwoods Ims increased, 1.792.030)1 being imported as compared with 1,-141,000ft in May last year. Douglas fir and hemlock account: for (lie increase, cedar, the only other softwood imoorled to any extent, having fallen from 581,000ft' to 391,000 ft. The growing importation of hemlock is due to its increase use for general interior building work. Prices on the Western Pacific Coast of America have hardened during the last two months, the average Customs value, which equals the domestic value in the country of origin, plus 10 per cent, of rough-sawn Douglas fir, the principal softwood imparled, has risen to 15s Id per 199 ft for May, compared with 13s Id per 100 ft for April, and 10s 2d ) er 1 CO ft for March—a 50 per cent increase within two months. It is considered unlikely that prices will rise anv.furt her.