SAWMILLING

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1933, Page 2

SAWMILLING

AjN OPTIMISTIC NOTE

MILLERS’ ANNUAL CON EE HEN (d'

WELLINGTON, July. 26

An optimistic note -regarding: the future of the saw mil ling industry was struck by the Commissioner of- State Forests, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, today, when opening the annual confer-

ence of the New Zealand Federated. Saw-millers’ Association. Mr Ransom said that s\w.mi)lors might look forward with some confidence to an early

return to better conditions. At the same time he announced that until there was a, definite change for the better lie proposed to continue the concessions to sawmillei's operating m State forests.

“It is estimated.” said Mr Rcn s om, “that the timber produced in the Dominion for the year ended March 51 last amounted to approximately 164.000,000 feet, or about the same quantity as for the previous year. This indicates that the swindling induptiv is at least holding its own, and with the increased demand for timber which must arise as old stocks arc being exhausted and building becomes more general, I think that sawmillers vn.-iv look for weird with some confidence to an early return to better conditions. Of the 527 established sawmills, 465 are working exclusively in native forests, and 62 exclusively in exotic plantations. * It is probably well know'll to you all that., at least SO per cant, of three mills are tempjamlly closed down while 43 per cent, are working only part time. Although the figures are not impressive, they vet show , a distinct improvement on the figures for the. corresponding period last year, and lend further support to my previous remark that the industry has not declined in the last 12 months.”

WHITE PINEThe overseas demand for white pine, he continued. was fairly keen, although, he understood at present that there was a slight falling off in orders, and supplies l easy of access were beeqming increasingly scarce. In response to numerous inquiries regarding the exploitation of “store” timber in South . Westland, he had instructed that a block be appraised nnd offered for disposal by public tender as soon as conveniently possible. White pine cut from that bush would be for local consumption and not for export. Southern millers would realise that the reason why the timber had not- been milled long ago was the grest. difficulty of access and extraction. Earlier attempts to establish a working harbour at Okarito had been abortive, • and *if remained to be seem whether pivictical access to the locality from' the sea would be made financially successful. CONCESSIONS. Until such time as a definite change for the 'better occurred in the milling industry, he proposed to continue the to gawmillers operating in State forest* which had been in force over the last twq years. These were summarised as, (a) The offering of no timber for sale unless definitely applied tor and the disposal of no timber which will create a new milling unit. (b) The waiving of interest, on overdue promissory notes postponed by arrangement'. . (c) The aboliton of ground rent on sawmill areas.

(d) A rebate of 10 per cent, for payment in cash..

(e) A reduction of 10 per cent, on th© royalty on silver beech exported to Great Britain for motor-body building. 'SOUT.HLAjND BEECH. “It ifi pleasing to record the success which attended the visit of representatives from your federation and the department respectively who went to England last year to seek out a market for Southland beech,” said MiRansom, “and I congratulate you on the results obtained. I am sure you will all agreo that the orders already placed augur well for further trade with the Mother ( Country. The number of dry kilns now in operation throughout the Dominion ig indicative of the increasing interest taken by certain millers to ensure that their timber will be placed cm the market as well seasoned as possible. In my judgment this is a very wise move and a very necessary one if our timber is to hold its own against foreign competition. It is well known that kil, n drying is extensively practised in Europe and jAmerica. lay evidenced by the excellent condition of the timber produced from those continents.” .

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