TIMBER INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1928, Page 1

TIMBER INDUSTRY

■ RESTRICTION ON EXPORT.

WELLINGTON, June 28. The Commissioner of State Forests (the HOll. Air Hawken) makes the following reply to a correspondent regarding the milling industry and the Government policy of restricting the export ef timber: In the year 1018 and the succeeding years of reconstruction following the Great War, representations were made t > the Government by timber users in the Dominion that they could only secure necessary supplies with the great-

est difficulty. The Government was also informed from reliable sources that certain influential overseas companies were negotiating for large timber enn-

wAsions in New Zealand, more particularly white pine and kauri, and it therefore became apparent that if some restrictive- measures were not taken to conserve our native timbers for local use such timbers would become rapidly exhausted. The policy of restricting trade in timber to ensure that export sjiouhl bp limited to the quantity produced in excess of the Dominion’s requirements, and to give some measure of protection to our native forests, was therefore decided upon. Tiie first regulations in this connection were issued in August, 1918, and .amended by isubsequient Ordens-flTi-Council published in 1910 and 1022, the latter of which fixed the quantities of kauri, beech, and rimu available for export during the following three

White pine was in a different oate•ijonq as it was recognised that this timber genera'ly grows on land very suitable for fan. . : ng. and if export was not ’permittod. 1;; many instances Ihe bu-b would be humect simply to clear the land. Export ■>; tan > •”>

I>er, theivlon*. was Irot'lv pTinittwl, provided always that the local maiket was fully supplied. Tn practice it was found that this embargo inflicted little.or no hardship on indivdual millers ns export permits were always granted within reasonable limits where bona fide cases for special consideration could l>o established, and in no single year since the regulations became operative did the total quantity exported in respect to any species (with the possible exception of heart kauri) even approximately approach the quota permitted by regulation. As trade conditions became more normal, and the housing shortage was overcome by organised building, the home consumption of timber declined and stocks rapidly accumulated, for which there was no local sale. To nssit merchants, therefore, in disposing of these surplus stocks, and also to relieve the present unemployment, the Government recently decided, as a temporary expedient, to repeal the export regulations, and so enable-, millers to exploit the Australian market without restriction. This action, however, must not he construed to mean that the principle e-f conserving New Zealand forests for New Zealand’s u-e lias been departed from, and all engaged in the trade must hoar in mind that restrictions will again lie imposed when the conditions now existent are altered, and no contracts should be made or establishment of new mills undertaken in roivtemplation of a eontinunnee of unrestricted export.