TIMBER IMPORTATIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 918, 11 March 1930, Page 10

TIMBER IMPORTATIONS

CANADIAN APPEAL FOR EMPIRE TRADE AMERICAN OPPOSITION •‘Due to American competition, the Canadian timber trade to Australia and N.Z. is decreasing." said Mr. J. H. McDonald, a member of the Canadian lumber delegation. which met a representative gathering of Auckland millers and merchants in the Chamber of Commerce yesterday. An earnest appeal was made for preference for Canadian timber as against American. The delegation. which comprises Messrs. .1. M. McDonald, J. G. Robson, and T. T. Gad. and Major L. R. Andrews, represents the British Columbia Lumber Manufacturers’ Association. It has concluded a tour of New Zealand, and leaves for Vancouver today by the Aorangi. About 30 Auckland representatives of the timber trade were present. Mr. D. L. J. Clayton presiding. The delegates were briefly welcomed by Mr. M. Stewart, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. “We have nothing against your local woods,” said Air. McDonald. “All we ask is that when you are considering what you must import, yoti should earmark your orders for the Empire, and ask specifically for a Canadian product. There has never been a fair comparison between grades of Canadian cedar and American redwood. When we get home, we are going to grade specifically for your market. Air. AlcDonald said the merits of western red oedar could be judged when it was pointed out that 85 per cent, of the output was sent to the United States, which was the only home of redwood. He felt safe in assuring New Zealand importers that they would find prices for cedar competitive. although not strictly on an equality. The shipping subsidies which American exporters enjoyed were equivalent to from £1 to £1 4s a thousand feet. If the Canadians could get preference from New Zealand, they could meet American competition, and there would be no doubt as to which way the trade would go. QUESTION OF PRICE Air. Clayton said it appeared to be mainly a question of price. He personally had not been able to see much difference between western red cedar and redwood. Lately it had been difficult to sell Canadian cedar in Auckland. A comparison with Sydney

prices suggested that dump prices vailed here. Air. S. H. Leyland said that Aua land merchants had dealt in ced I until redwood was forced upon He could not say which was the bettw timber. The distinction seemed to'hi largely one of price. Air. M. K- Draffln, representing th* Auckland branch of the New Zealaiai Institute of Architects, agreed UJJ there did not appear to be mvch dif. ference between the two timb« rs. p* believed that the sap timber problem would be solved in New Zeala id, amt that ways would be found of treatin'this class of timber so as to make h usable for ordinary scantling. Air. E. J. Phelan, secretary of th* Timber- workers" Union, said that 34.u*j feet of timber represented a year’s work by one man. On this basis the Dominion's annual imports were equivalent to the work of 3,500 New Zealanders. He had always held that the Government should exclude the finished arl tide, or anything under 9in by 3i n . Air. Clayton assured the delegate*, that the Auckland merchants wanted to help Canadian exporters. It 1 to be njerely a question of educating the public. He thought, however, that some time would elapse before the Government could give any heln through the Customs tariffs.