Export Trade.

Progress, Volume XV, Issue 2, 1 October 1919, Page 627

Export Trade.

The comprehensive report made hy, Rogeir E. Simmons, foreign trade expert, who recently spoke to Pacific , Coast lumberm'en, has given the trade generally much encouragement. Mr Simmons’ review of the foreign markets indicates that much of the world’s demand for lumber must he filled hy the Pacific Northwest within the next five years. In view of this, lumbermen believe that Mr. Simmons voiced a basic truth when he said there is no reason why manufacturers should invade the foreign fields as individuals and compete with one another. Likewise they agree with him that the enlv wise course is to have the business placed at figures that will insure reasonable profits since a <*ond Percentage of the orders must be filler! in this district. Prices will rule high in Croat Britain far timber and timber products. It is estimated that well over 1.000.000 new homes will he required, and the tirade

papers are full of the records of high prices being paid for standing and sawn timber. Plywoods and veneers are largely coming into use as against the more wasteful method of sawing timber into boards, and this has resulted in much higher prices being realised. A cable recently received by Messrs Howes and Co., states the Otago Daily Times, quotes alder three-ply at 45s per 100 ft. Before the war this line was to he bought in Dunedin at 18s 6d, while similar lines now on the market are selling locally at 27s 6d. A striking instance of the increased value of timber when made into veneers is reported. An English walnut tree, grown in Nuneham Park, was sold for £2OO. The log eventually found its way to America after changing hands several times. Its American purchasers cut it un into 60.000 feet of veneers, which were sold for £ISOO.