THE TIMBER TRADE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 466, 25 February 1933, Page 5

THE TIMBER TRADE

LATEST RETURNS SHOW FAY OUiRABLE EXPORT INCREASE TRADE BALANCE REVERS'ED ("Post" Special Commissioner.) Wellington, Friday. New Zealand's overseas timber trade for 1932 showed a favourable balance 'of over 20 million feet, board measurement, valued at £170,360, as compared with an adverse trade balance during 1931 of approximately two million feet, valued at £47,000, * according to a statement made yesterday hy the Commissioner of State Forests, Hon. E. A. Ranson. During the period 1928-30 there was. an average gdverse balance of 32 million feet, valued at £434,300.

"Timber imports for 193-2 show a marked decrease, and amount to only approximately ofie third of the quantity imported during 1931, and 11 p-er cent. of the average annual iinportations during the period 1928-30," - said Mr. Ransom. "A comparison of the figures for individual items for 1932 and 1931 shows that the decrease is distributed through all the items save oak. This timbeT maintains a steady trade mainly Hue to the fact that native timhers do\not compete with it for the manufact&re of the more expensive types of fuiN, niture. V

"Low unports of Australian hardwoods, Douglas fir and redwood are due to continued .slackness in construction and building trades. Competr ing native timbers have 'almost entirely replaced hemlock and spruce, formerly used for the manufacture of fruit cases, and imports of butjter box and cheese crate timbers have decreased owing to similar competition. "During 1932 exports of timber have amounted to 27,500,000 feet board measurement, valued at £254,000 as compared with 17,500,000 feet board measurement valued at £174,000 for 1931. These figures indicate buying to replace depleted stocks and a general improvement in conditions in fwood-using pndustries in Australfa and increased exports may be expected during the current yegr White pine eonstituted over 80 per cent. of the total exports and is expected to maintain a steady trade', its superiority for butter boxes remaining uneh'alfenged despite occasional contrary reports hy authorities in Australia. The average value per 100 feet hoard measurment for 1932 exports was 18/7 as compared with 19/10 for 1931. The Minister supplied the following particulars of imports and exports. —

1932 1931 ft. b.m. ft. b.m. Aust. hardwoods 2,883,000 10,173,000 Douglas fir .... 1,183,000 2,976,000 Butter boxe£ .... 1,475,000 2,897,000 Oak 894,000 720,000 Cheese crates .... 175,000 732,000 Redwood 292,000 1,028,000 Ash and hickory 41,000 59,000 Cedar 7,000 52,0op Hemlock and ( spruce 31,000 .662, 000 Other '..j 31,000 82,00p Total quantity 7,012,000 19,363,000 Total value ..., £83,610 £223, 210 Value per 100ft. b.m. 23/10 22/ip

IMPORTS

White pine .... .... 22,226,000 14,773,000 (Rimu 2,061,000 947,000 Beech .... 1,475,000 740,000 Kauri 725,000 452,0Q'0 Other 751,000 669,000 Total quantity 27,338,000 17,581,000 Total value .... £253,970 £174,410 Value per 100ft b.m 18/7 19/16

EXPORTS