N.Z. Timber Needs More Protection

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 704, 2 July 1929, Page 10

N.Z. Timber Needs More Protection

AMERICAN JDUMPING LABOUR MARKET HIT (Special to TUB SUX) CHRISTCIJURCM, Monday. That there should be a higher tariff on timber imported into New Zealand was the opinion expressed by a Christchurch timber dealer to a “Sun” reporter. IT would make a great difference to the industry in New Zealand,” he said. ‘‘The timber industry is the biggest in New Zealand from a labour point of view. It employs more men than the freezing and dairying industries, so you can see how important this question is from the point of view of unemployment. “It doesn't affect us so much in Canterbury, as the transport charges between Lyttelton and Christchurch make the price higher, but in seaport towns, such as Wellington, Auckland and Dunedin, they get it in the neck pretty solidly. The quantity ol' timber imported is very great. “The tariff imposed by the Coates Government didn’t quite go far enough.” Another timber merchant contended that the tariff should differentiate between sawn timber and that which is manufactured ready for use.

"It’s the importation of the manufactured article that does the damage,” he said. “The Americans sell it in New Zealand at a dumping price. “The American price for flooring is higher at the place of production than ours here, yet they send it all the way to New Zealand and undersell the locally-made article. “The freight we pay on timber from Greymouth to Christchurch, a distance of 180 miles, is more than the freight over the Pacific. A big industry is hampered by the importation of these articles.” Last year New Zealand spent nearly £250,000 for the 23,000,000 feet of American timber that she imported. Much of this timber came from Canada, but the bulk of it came from the United States. • Practically every foot of it came m American steamers, whereby the sum of £80,600 in freights was handed over to a foreign mercantile marine. Much of this timber, of course, was indispensable, but a great deal of the imported timber, when used for joinery, flooring, weatherboarding and other purposes, competes directly with New Zealand lines.

BUTTER AND CHEESE

DAIRY BOARD’S REVIEW The New Zealand Dairy Produce Board has received the following market report from its London office, dated June 28, prices for the previous week being in parentheses: BUTTER Butter: New Zealand salted, 170 s to 172 s (167 s to 170 s); unsalted, 3 72s (IGSs to 170 s); first whey, 157 s (1545); second whey, 153 s (150 s); l*os to 172 s equals about Is 4id. f.o.b. Deliveries this week, 800 tons; in store this week, B,SOO tons. Australian: Finest salted, lbos to 168 s (161 s to 1665). Argentine: Finest unsalted, 160 s to 164 s (160 s to 1645). . Irish creamery salted, 166 s to Ibßs (164 s to 1665); unsalted, 169 s to l<ls (169 s to 170 s). . Danish: 170 s, f.o.b. (l'«6s to l<Ss); spot, 166 s (170 s). Dutch: Unsalted, 166 s to 172 s (164 s to 168 s). x Estonian: 162 s to 160 s (lG^-s). Latvian: 162 s to 360 s (1625). Siberian: 157 s to 158 s (156 s tolo8s). Ukrainian: 158 sto 160 s (158 sto 160 s). . Polish: 146 s to 154 s (144 s to lo4s). French: Baskets, salted, 154 sto 164 s (154 s to 1645). Tho market is firm. Retail prices are unchanged. CHEESE New Zealand: White, 925: exceptionally fine, 93s (92s to 935); coloured, 94s to 95s (94s to 955). 92 s equals approximately 8 id. f.0.b., and 94s to 955, B|d, f.o.b. Deliveries. New Zealand, this week, 20,543 crates; in store, 128,524 crates. _ _„, Canadian: White, 102 s to 110 s (104 s to 110 s); coloured, 102 s to 108 s (104 s to 108 s). New season’s cheese: White, 91s, c.i.f. (91s to 925), coloured, 92s to 935. c.i.f. (92s to 935). Australian: White, 90s to 91s (91s); coloured. 92s to 93s (92s to 935). Tho market is quiet and retail prices unchanged. SHIPPING MOVEMENTS Tho Tainui completed discharge of her butter on June 21. The Otira completed discharge of her butter on June 25. The Rangitiki completed discharge of her cheese on June 24. The Rangitiki commenced to discharge butter on June 24, and finished on June 27. NORTH AMERICAN MARKET The board has also received the following advice from its agents in Canada: Butter: New York, 43£ cents (193 d), Montreal, 37 1-4 cents (Is 6 5-8 d). MERCHANTS’ REPORTS Merchants report receipt of overseas cables as follow: Joseph Nathan and Co., from their London principals, Trengrouse and Nathan, Ltd.: “Butter, 1725; market firmer and more doing. Cheese, white, 925; coloured. 945; market quiet.” Kelliher and Company, from its London principals, Whiteley, Mair and Company, under date July 1: “Butter —Market firm: New Zealand spot prices for finest, 1745: first. 172 a a cwt. Cheese market steady. New Zealand, white, 925; coloured, 945.”