EXPORT OF TIMBER.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1920, Page 5

EXPORT OF TIMBER.

WHY AUSTRALIA GETS IT. COAL GIVEN IN RETURN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Massey referred to-day to the blame cast on the Government in. some quarters for permitting the export of timber to Australia while there is an apparent shortage, of timber in New Zealand. He said that the position did not appear to be generally understood. It was a fact that certain quantities of timber were being exported to Australia, and the reason was that the New Zealand Government, at the express request of the Australian Government, had entered into a reciprocal arrangement by which the Commonwealth was to allow the export of coal to the Dominion in return for certain New Zealand timber essential to the Commonwealth butter industry.

Not merely coal, but also salt, superphosphates, wheat and hardwoods are required in New Zealand, added Mr. Massey, and we have to»look to Australia, where export is under the control of the Commonwealth Government, for a large proportion of these supplies. Another point is that boats bringing coal from Australia to New Zealand have to be sent back loaded on the return voyage, and they take timber cargoes in accordance with the arrangement with the Commonwealth Government.

.11 is interesting to note thai for the four months from July Ist last, a total of 5,438,000 feet of timber was produced, which is equivalent to upwards of 25,000,000 feet for the year. The export of timber for the period amounted to 1,245,000 feet, only equivalent to about :),jioo,ooo feet, for the year, as compared with the export of 10,454,000 feet for the year ended .March 31st, 1!)1S