TRADE IN RIMU

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1933, Page 8

TRADE IN RIMU

THE AUSTRALIAN 'MARKET

increased export prospect

CHRISTCHURCH, December 16.

That there is every prospect of a distinct 'revival in the export of this class of, timber to the 'various Commonwealth markets, is the opinion expressed by Mr' Din Keeee, chairman of the We s t Coast Sawmills’ Association, who returned to Christchurchyesterday after a business trip to Australia. In an interview, Mr Reese said that with Mr J. W. CaiUwell, he had endeavoured to extend the sale of riihu, and could report to his colleagues that the mission had dchieved great success. Mr Reese saj'd that the visit was a result of the enormous (shrinkage in export of rimu to Australia since the New Zealand Government had completely eliminated such export iO yeai-g ago. In 1920, he said, New Zealand exported .30,000,000 feet of rimu, while last yearonly 2,000,000 feet were shipped from our ports.

reestablishment essential

“This stoppage of rimu exports shook the confidence of Australian exporters in New Zealand’s ability to provide a permanent source for timber requirements,” he said. ‘‘lt soon became evident, however, that the abnormal demand for timber in this country was an unnatural one, ana .the excessive demand an the early twenties resulted in the erection of many additional sawmilling ' plants, with timber' ‘areas being taken up in all parts of the Dominion. When slump conditions overtook New Zea r land, it is probable that no industry suffered; more than that of timber. It was then that the export trade with Australia would have stood us in good stead. It has now become essential that some effort should he made to reestablish the business. Our visit had for its object the winning back of the original position, hold by this country on the various Australian markets, and if. may be said that in this respect the mission has been eminently successful. We are able to report to our colleagues that with improved conditions in Australia, together with a clear understanding that this trade in the future, will be able to progress unmolested by any fpr m of interference, and with a guarantee .from the suppliers' that they will be able to execute the whole of Australia’s rimu requirements, New Zealand will be given vary favoured treatment.”

TAJRIFF DIVERSIONS

As regards timber, New Zealand with Canada, had been given a special preference in Australia over importations from foreign countries, in sP-i te of tariffs having . been high in many instances, gaid 'Mr ißeeae. In years past, Baltic timber from Norway and Sweden, .and Oregon pine from the United States had more or less dominated the markets of Australia; but recently the operation of the tariff had diverted th e Oregan trade to Canada, and it seemed ’ certain that .jjfew Zealand (would .now come in | and pick up a very considerable portion of the trade which Norway anu Sweden had enjoyed. Queensland was the only state in Australia which pr> t du.ced soft woods, and in the earliest j market discussions on the tariff question was antagonistic even to Canadian and New' Zealand participation in the great Commonwealth markets. The position now was more stabilised, and it was clear, that New Zealand hvas not gifting to interfere with Queensland’s interests; for the Queensland pine, being a first-class timber, was able to win its share of the trade in face of every opposition. The Government ‘ of Australia had been aid® to give' further recent favours to N ew Zealand' -timbers in its desire to forward

the. interests' of the present treaty 'arrangements between the Commonwealth and the Dominion.

FAVOURED TREATMENT ASSURED

“With aeurance from this side that the export, of rimu to Australia will be allowed to develop in its own way, it was necessary to ascertain that there would be t,he same continuity in Australia’s present policy regarding timber importations,’’ he continued. “Mr Ji A. Lyons, Premier of the Commonwealth Government, and a number of Ministers, whom we saw, were most friendly and anxious that the treatly recently concluded should be a success; and while they must at all times show a preference for their own industries, if is clear that as affecting timber they are able to do this and still give New Zealand very favoured treatment. , (Recently they took the primage duty off rimu as well a 6 the sales tax, and this give s our timber an increasingly advantageous position in competing with other imported timbers. “The members of the delegation are able to return to New Zealand and ireport to their 'sawmilling associations that a big market in Australia is open to them, which, with proper cai'e and attention, lean be maintained against all foreign competition, and can be made profitable both for sawmillers who export :and for timber merheants who import on the other side.’’ Although almost the whole of the rimu exported to Australia went from Westport and Grey mouth, said Mr Beese,' the development of the Australian trade would have a very beneficial effect on the sawmillers of the North Island and of Southland, for a fe the present moment, there was undue pressure from the West C°ast on "Wei- ▼

lington and other North Island ports, as well as Dunedin. There were many signs of increased activity in the Australian timber trades, merchants having reported their trade' in recent months as more than double what it was for the corresponding period last year. In thi s increase New Zealand must obtain her share with rimu, and already there were signs of greater activity in the export market.