27

C.—3.

While the low prices ruling on foreign markets have undoubtedly assisted to stimulate consumption of imported timbers, it is just as certain that the inherent qualities of these woods, their accurate manufacture, grading, and careful drying have contributed materially to their increasing popularity. Douglas fir still ranks first in popular favour, over 17 million feet b.m. being imported during the year under review, compared with 14,000,000 ft. b.m. during 1924, 8,000,000 ft. b.m. during 1923, and only 4,000,000 ft. b.m. during 1922. The average Customs import value per 100 ft. b.m. for 1925 was only 14s. 8d., or 4s. 7d. below that of the peak value in 1923. The outstanding development of the import trade during 1925 was the importation of over 6|- million feet- b.m. of western red-cedar (Thuja plicata) for use in weatherboards, joinery, and similar constructions. This timber was originally classed for import purposes as a furniture timber, and therefore admitted duty-free. Southern markets absorbed most of the rough-sawn hemlock for general building-construction, while the fruitgrowing industry used about half a million hemlock box-shooks for the export apple trade.

New Standard Metal-bound New Zealand White-pine Butter-box developed by the Forest Service for Export Trade. The Box uses less Timber, is cheaper, yet Fourteen Times stronger than the Old Standard Box.

In spite of the warnings issued by the Forest Service, dairy producers continued to pack their butter in increasing numbers of Baltic-spruce boxes, which are liable to seriously taint the butter, a fact which English importers have not been slow to appreciate. Recent reports, however, from the London Agency of the Dairy-produce Control Board to the effect that buyers were actually discriminating against butter packed in spruce boxes has caused that body to issue a general warning to producers argainst their further use.

Graph showing Timber and Tanning-bark Imports for Years ended 31st December, 1923-25.