C.—l2.

1937. NEW ZEALAND.

KAURI-GUM INDUSTRY (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1937.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 5 of the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914.

Sir,— Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist August, 1937. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report under the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914, for the year ended 31st March, 1937. I have, &c., W. Robertson, Under-Secretary. The Hon. Frank Langstone, Minister of Lands. Although there was a slight improvement in the market during the year, conditions generally remained stagnant. There is still very little demand for varnish grades of gum, and consequently very little gum of this type is being produced. No definite results are yet apparent as a result of research in connection with the purification of kauri-gum by the solvent process. A new survey of the gum-fields has recently been completed, and the information gathered will enable a more accurate estimate of future supplies of kauri-gum to be made. However, unless the purified gum can be produced at a cost at least on a par with synthetic resins utilized in the varnish and lacquer industries it is doubtful whether any appreciable portion of the market could be regained. The demand for linoleum grades of gum, of which Great Britain takes the major portion, still remains fairly consistent, and prices rose sharply during the year. Production was low as in previous years, and, on account of this, existing stocks were further reduced. Nevertheless, stocks are sufficient to meet current and anticipated demands. It is expected that production of chip grades of gum for the ensuing year will be higher on account of better prices ruling. Export of Kauri-gum. For the year ended 31st March, 1937, the export amounted to 3,613 tons, of the value of £119,649 an average price of about £33 per ton. The tonnage, value, and average price per ton of the export for the past sixteen years are —• Year ended Tonnage Value. Average 31st March. exported. per Ton. 1922 3,968 391,304 98 1923 6,080 520,409 85 1924 6,923 640,712 92 1925 5,432 446,019 82 1926 5,495 414,420 75 1927 4,529 301,335 66 1928 4,531 267,559 59 1929 4,566 241,223 53 1930 4,941 264,452 53 1931 3,145 155,602 49 1932 3,164 124,757 39 1933 2,060 57,970 28 1934 3,378 83,945 25 1935 3,412 91,070 27 1936 2,669 75,802 28 1937 3,613 119,649 33