o.—B

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CHAPTER V.—GENERAL. Repoe,t op the Timber Trade for the Fiscal Year ending 31st March, 1921. Production. A statement showing the actual output in superficial feet of the various kinds of timbers from New Zealand sawmills during the years ending 31st March, 1919, 1920, and 1921, has been compiled from figures supplied by the Board of Trade and the Railway and Public Works Departments.

Production of Sawn Timber.

The output for the year ending 31st March, 1921, is only 4-38 per cent, above that for 1920, compared with the increase experienced from 1919 to 1920 of 30 per cent. During the first three quarters of the year—from April to December, 1920 —the production was heavy, but the JanuaryMarch, 1921, period showed a marked decrease. The unprecedented demand for timber which gradually arose during the latter part of the war period called into being fifty new sawmills. The output from these was only just beginning to reach the market towards the latter part of the year under review, at which time, unfortunately, the first effects of the present financial stringency were beginning to be felt in a marked decline in demand. A serious shortage in all classes of labour was experienced throughout the year- -more particularly skilled labour. To meet the high cost of living a substantial increase in wages was granted, this being reflected to some extent in the higher cost of production and the increased prices of timber sanctioned by the Board of Trade. Import. A general revival of the building industry and the renewal of many constructional activities temporarily suspended during the war is responsible for the heavy increase in the importation of all classes of timber. The apparent shortage of timber-supplies during the mid-year period accounted in a large measure for excessive importations of Oregon pine, and the bulk of these importations arrived during the last quarter of the year and added very considerably to the slackening in demand for local timber. Prices in every case have advanced, the most noticeable being that of jarrah, which, based on figures obtained from the Comptroller of Customs, shows an increase of 9s. per 100 sup. ft. over the figure for the year ending 31st March, 1920. Export. Much the same conditions as affected the timber trade within New Zealand governed the export trade. We find on examination of the export statistics a reflection of these conditions, for the volume of shipments rose during the first nine months and showed a marked decline in the last quarter. Talcing the year as a whole, however, the export trade can be considered to have been exceptionally good, and a survey of the statistics relating thereto may be of interest. The quantity allowed to be exported has, of course, been under strict control, and totalled for the year ending 31st March, 1921, 62,611,402 sup. ft. While exceeding the figure for the previous year, it is noticeable that this is almost entirely due to the heavy shipments of white-pine to Australia. Rimu shows a slight increase, and kauri a large decrease, over the figures for the year ending March, 1920. The average export price for all timbers per 100 sup. ft. f.o.b. exporting ports, was 21s. 7d., compared with I.Bs. and 16s. 2d. for the years ending 31st March, 1920 and 1919, respectively. (These figures are based on information furnished by the Comptroller of Customs.) Markets and Prices. The demand for timber during the year was not reflected in prices, as would ordinarily be the case under usual trade conditions, for during the whole period the prices have been subject to control by the Board of Trade, so that a review of prices in relation to the year's trade conditions is not called for. This, of course, refers only to trade within New Zealand, for it is quite well known that the prices secured for timber exported to Australia during the greater part of the year were considerably higher than those permitted to be charged locally. There was an increased demand for minor timbers, such as tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa), tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides), taraire (Beilschmiedia taraire), rewarewa (Knightia excelsa), mangeao (Litsea calicaris), pukatea (Laurelia 'novae-zealandiae), rata (Metrosideros robusta), and Pinus insignis.

Item. 1919. 1920. 1921. Kauri (Agathia auatralia) Ivimii (Docrydium cupreaainum) White-pine (Podocarpua docrydioides) .. Totara (Podocarpua totara) .. Matai (Podocarpua apicata) .. Beeoh (Fagua fuaca, F. Solandri, and F. Menzieaii) Pinua ins ignis Other Sup. ft. 21,835,023 111,318,579 03.130,005 13,387,038 11,930,040 4,466,116 1,501,274 228,377 "/ /o 9-58 48-86 27-74 5-87 5-23 1-96 0-00 0-10 Sup. ft. 22,598,391 145,584,203 82,419,821 14,414,298 17,820,597 9,050,344 3,004,201 013,225 °/ 10 7-63 49-10 27-82 4-86 0-02 3-25 1-05 0-21 Sup. ft. 1!). 01)8,184 152,182,339 79,612,233 17,810,008 22,770,834 7,707,051 6,844,868 2,529,005 °/ 10 0-37 49-23 25-75 5-70 7-37 2-49 2-21 0-82 Totals 227,803,112 100-00 290,105,080 100-00 309,102,442 100-00