TIMBER IMPORTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 858, 30 December 1929, Page 10

TIMBER IMPORTS

CANADIAN MILLS WANT A SHARE VISIT, OF DELEGATION “We do not wish to damage in any way the New Zealand timber industry. All we ask is: If you must buy timber overseas, buy it from a sister Dominion. Canada can produce enough timber to take care of the New Zealand market indefinitely.” This statement, made to The Sun on the Aorangi yesterday explains, m a nutshell, the reason for the New Zealand. Australian and Fijian tour of a delegation representing timber traders of British Columbia. Supported by the sympathetic hacking of the Canadian Government, this delegation—the first of its kind to visit New Zealand —has been organised for the purpose of promoting timber trading and discussing in New Zealand and Australian official circles the possibility of a preferential tariff for Canadian timber. Its members are Mr. J. H. Macdonald, of the British Columbia Manufacturing Company, Mr. T. T. Gadd, of the Cedar Cobe Sash and Door Company of British Columbia, Mr. J. C. Robson, of the Timberland Lumber Company, and Major L. R. Andrews, an afforestation engineer. BETTER INTERCHANGE “We wish to investigate first-hand conditions in Fiji, New Zealand and Australia,” said Mr. Macdonald. “Ours is a goodwill tour for the development of a better interchange of New Zealand and Canadian products. We do not come as an official commission, but have the sympathy of the Dominion and Provincial Governments, both of which are partners in the timber-industry. “We feel that the time has come for an enlargement of trade and an adjustment of tariffs to give Canada a. measure of preference. At present New Zealand gives us a slightly lower tariff on sashes, doors and veneers, but on timber we are on the same level as the United States. “At present New Zealand secures only one-third of her overseas timber from Canada. We want, if possible, to secure a larger share.” He added that the new shipping facilities, soon to be put into operation, would be beneficial, and it was hoped that trade would improve greatly in the coming year. The class of timber was the same as that of the United States’ Pacific Coast products and, although the output was no so large, it was ample for Canadian, New Zealand, Australian and Fijian requirements. Prices were not a parity, a degree of preference being necessary to sway the balance. TRADE DEVELOPMENT

It was proposed to discuss the questions with the New Zealand Government, after the party returned from Australia, where several weeks would be spent. “Canada’s lumber trade has developed rapidly since the war, but the Australian and New Zealand markets have not improved to a similar extent,” said Mr. Macdonald. “We hope, also, to promote the development of trade in lines other than lumber, and would like to see an economic conference of statesmen, economists, financiers and shipping people representing the four countries. “We hope to see something of New Zealand lumber conditions, and to meet representative New Zealand lumber men. There is a very friendly feeling in Canada toward New Zealand, and it is up to us to do everything we can to gain a clearer understanding of each others’ difficulties.” CANADIAN CONDITIONS Referring to Canada’s control of the lumber industry, Major Andrews said that timber in British Columbia was cut under licence from the Government, the land reverting to the Crown after it had been cut out. Natural conditions in the province were so good that new growth kept pace with cutting, and there was no need for artificial reafforestation. Portion of the land as it was cut out was set aside for fresh natural growth, while some was taken over by agriculturists. The Government handled the great fire problem, and in return for fire protection charged its lumber contractors a percentage. Similarly, royalties and “stumpage” were charged on the timber cut. The tour of the delegation will be of two months’ duration.