H.—44

5

It was suggested by the Board that the poultrymen might combine and preserve eggs in the summer-time, when they were cheap, and that the bakers and pastrycooks could draw their supplies from this reserve in the winter. The bakers pointed out that many thousands of dozens were so preserved by themselves, and it was only when these supplies were exhausted that they required to look for supplies elsewhere. In each and every centre the bakers were willing to accept and work under a guarantee from the poultrymen that eggs would be available at Is. 6d. per dozen in the winter months in the requisite quantities, and in the event of such guarantee being forthcoming they would refrain from using the imported article. The Board's suggestion, however, met with no response from the producers, who declined to guarantee any supplies whatever in the event of the importation of foreign eggs being prohibited. Regarding the third question raised by the producers, as to the danger of health by the use of Asiatic eggs, the Board found, on the evidence submitted, that there was not likely to be any danger to health by the use of Asiatic eggs by the bakers. The Board found that the bakers, in every ease, were reasonable in the attitude they took up, and were in no way anxious to use the imported article in preference to the New Zealand article, their fear, however, being that supplies in the winter-time would be quite unobtainable if importation were prohibited. One witness gave evidence that in his business alone he was over 10,000 dozen eggs short of his requirements in the winter of 1917 even after using what imported eggs he was able to procure. The pastrycooks pointed out that if the importation of Asiatic eggs were prohibited it, would have a direct bearing on the price of cakes and pastry, the selling-price of which would have to be very considerably increased. Taking therefore into account the lack of local supplies of eggs in the winter months, and the likelihood of an increase in the price of locally produced eggs, cakes, and pastry if Asiatic eggs were not available, the Board recommended that no action be taken by the Government to restrict the importation of Asiatic and other foreign eggs. WHITE-PINE TIMBER, The Board completed its inquiry into the above industry during the year. You instructed the Board to report as to the necessity or otherwise of limiting the export of white-pine timber from New Zealand in view of the large and increasing demand for this timber in connection with the dairying industry. Sittings were held at Dargaville, Whangarei, Auckland, Taumarunui, Ohakunc, Taihape, Wellington, Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Christchurch, and Invercargill, and 150 witnesses were examined, comprising representatives of the dairying industry, the farmers' unions, timber-workers' unions, and the sawmilling industry and departmental officers. A review of the report is as follows : — Available Supplies of White-pine. .There are no accurate statistics in existence as to the available quantity of white-pine at present in the Dominion. Various estimates have been made from time to time by the officers of the Lands and Survey Department as to the quantities of various classes of timber standing at certain dates. The estimates, however, have not been based on correct surveys, and therefore can be regarded as approximations only. This statement does not apply to the Auckland District, where estimates furnished have been based more or less on surveys and measurements. In 1909 the Government statistics showed that there were. 2,618,457,503 sup. ft. of white-pine still standing on Crown, Native, and privately owned lands in New Zealand. On the 31st March, 1916, the estimate had been reduced to 1,117,000,000 sup, ft., and the last available returns- August, 1917 —show the probable present stand to be 985,000,000 sup. ft. It is claimed that this last estimate is more nearly correct than previous ones". The details of this estimate are as follows : — Grown Lands. Privato Lands. Sup. ft. Sup. ft. Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 115,794,744 103,566,600 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. 72,790,000 252,970,000 ' Westland .. .. .. .. ..250.000,000 65,000,000 Southland '.. .. .. .. .. 45,000,000 30,000,000 483,584,744 451,536,600 No returns were received from Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago, but it is known that the supply of white-pine in these districts is very small, and probably would not total more than 50,000,000 sup. ft., giving a grand total of 985,121,344 sup. ft. As has been stated, the figures with regard to the Auckland Province are probably correct. In regard to the figures for the other provinces, the general impression amongst sawmillers and other experts is that they are underestimates. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, furnished a return showing the average export for eight years from the Auckland Province to be 44,579,000 ft. He estimated the local consumption at 30 per cent, of this average, equalling 13,373,700 ft.; the total annual consumption, therefore, in the Auckland Province being roughly 58,000,000 sup. ft. If this rate of consumption continues, the white-pine industry in the Auckland District is doomed to extinction within four years. Rate op Consumption. It is difficult to arrive at the actual annual cut of white-pine for both local and export trade. On the 31st March, 1916, the Lands Department estimated it at 150,000,000 sup. ft. per annum. In July of this year the Department estimated it at 92,000,000 sup. ft. per annum, no allowance being