H.—44

Included in the table above under other species not specified are Pinus insignis and beech. The production of these species for the past five years is as under:— Pinus insignis. Beech. Sup. ft. Sup. ft. 1928 .. .. .. .. 7,694,957 7,923,069 1929 .. .. .. .. 9,168,412 9,845,606 1930 .. .. .. .. 10,381,585 10,225,255 1931 .. .. .. .. 12,739,925 7,680,913 1932 .. .. .. .. 13,404,700 5,756,868 The above statistics show that the production of timber decreased by approximately 75,250,000 superficial feet during the 1931-32 period, a decline of 32-8 per cent. The number of sawmillers engaged in the production of rough-sawn timber shows a decline of 39, the relative figures being 314 in 1931 and 275 in 1932. Employment figures show a substantial decrease in the number of workers engaged in sawmills, and for comparative purposes the following figures are submitted : 1928-29, 6,264 ; 1929-30, 6,504 ; 1930-31, 5,612 ; 1931-32, 3,858. As indicated by the Department's report last year, the export figures for twelve months ended 31st December, 1932, show a substantial improvement both in quantity and value on exports for the previous year, as shown in more detail as under :— Sup. ft. £ Sup. ft. £ 1931 .. 17,528,453 172,606 1932 .. 27,263,616 253,661 The increase in quantity is 55-8 per cent., and in value 46-9 per cent. The improvement shown is due to increased demand for white-pine in Australia, arising out of heavy exports of butter from the Commonwealth. For the six months ended 30th June, 1933, the exports show a falling-off. The statistics show the following position : — Six months ended— Sup. ft. £ 30th June, 1932 .. .. .. .. 13,423,482 127,536 30th June, 1933 .. .. .. .. 13,050,457 121,268 The following table shows in thousands of superficial feet the quantities of imported timber that directly compete with New Zealand native timber :—

The import figures show a decline of over 5,000,000 ft. a drop of 63-5 per cent, on the 1931 totals. The increased landed cost of timber from Canada and United States of America, due to high rate of bank exchange and the depreciated value of New Zealand currency in purchasing from these countries, has had a material influence in reducing imports. WHEAT. During the 1931-32 season the area sown in wheat in the Dominion was 208,756 acres, and the yield 6,582,698 bushels, an average of 2t-49 bushels per acre. The unsatisfactory yield per acre resulted in a substantial shortage, and, as stated in the Department's previous report, arrangements were made whereby the Wheat Marketing Agency Co., Ltd. undertook the imposition of wheat to meet the shortage. The quantity of wheat imported into New Zealand during the year 1932 was 1,361,387 bushels, valued at £256,606. The quantity of flour imported during the same period was 13,009 tons, valued at £159,189. Together the imports during the year 1932 of wheat and flour represent 1,985,819 bushels of wheat, which is equivalent approximately to two and three-quarters months' requirements for the Dominion. The area sown in wheat for harvesting in 1933 was approximately 291,000 acres and with an exceptionally high yield per acre of approximately 37 bushels the total yield will be in the vicinity of ll,(MK),000 bushels. The estimated surplus was so large over the requirements of the Dominion, and as the price of the world's wheat was abnormally low, it was anticipated that the grower would not receive 2s. per bushel on trucks at country stations this season. To meet the position the Government in January of this year gazetted the Board of Trade (Wheat) Regulations. The Wheat Purchase Board was instituted to deal with the whole of the F.A.Q. milling-wheat from this pear's harvest. The Board is composed of four members representing the wheatgrowers and (our members representing the flour-millers. An independent Chairman was appointed by the Government.

16

1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. (1,000 ft.) (1,000 ft.) (1,000ft.) (1,000 ft.) Cedar .. .. .. .. 1,336 637 52 7 Oregon.. .. .. .. 16,188 12,807 2,950 1,081 Hemlock .. .. .. 4,108 6,142 662 Redwood .. .. .. 11,678 9,345 1,028 291 Butter-box shooks .. .. 3,147 4,691 2,879 1,473 Cheese-crate shooks .. .. 1,373 1,774 732 175 Total .. .. . 37,830 35,396 8,303 3,027