DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1933 17 



drastic reduction in rates payable under certain contracts was essential to 

 restoration even with any assurance of an improved general outlook. 



Because of the heavily involved contractual obligations in relation to high 

 priced timber sold by the Crown, the prices in connection with which were bid 

 under public competition, extreme hesitancy must necessarily be taken prior 

 to any modifications in contracts. 



An impartial tribunal to investigate allegedly impossible rates and to 

 recommend, where necessary, such revision, was put forward for future con- 

 sideration of the Government. 



The Pulp and Tie dealers were also represented and met the Minister 

 for a discussion of certain of their problems. 



It was following this get-together gathering that for the ensuing operat- 

 ing year the reductions in Crown dues, as above mentioned, were determined. 



Future Operations 



In last year's report a reference was made to the Imperial Conference 

 held at Ottawa in 1932, and it was pointed out that based upon action taken 

 there it was hoped that time would effect a trade agreement between Russia 

 and Great Britain that would prove beneficial to the Canadian lumber trade. 

 After protracted negotiations the Russian quota of importations into the 

 Old Land have been somewhat restricted, and a more hopeful outlook obtains. 

 Already as a result of the Conference and extended publicity the Maritime 

 Provinces of Canada have very advantagously benefitted, their geographical 

 position in relation to waterway shipments being in their favour, Eastern 

 Spruce and Western Fir being the types of timber chiefly concerned. Ontario 

 joined with certain other Provinces last year in sending to the Old Country 

 a representative of the lumber industry, William E. Golding of New Brunswick, 

 to watch this country's interests in the negotiations for more favoured trade 

 relations. A representative of the hardwood industry, in the person of K. G. 

 Fensom from Ontario, also did educational work in England with effective 

 results. Important hardwood shipments from Ontario in Birch and Maple 

 have been recently ordered, these superior types now being sought by Old 

 Country users. For interior trimming, flooring and automotive framing 

 Ontario hardwood is finding its true place, and it is confidently predicted that 

 a decided momentum to the hardwood trade in Ontario will follow further 

 and more extensive campaign work in the Old Country, and possibly also on 

 the Continent. 



Even the White Pine operators in Ontario are not without hope that with 

 certain concessions they may be able to supplant a portion of the British markets 

 now controlled by Northern Europe. 



Evidence is not wanting that an interest is being shown in our types of 

 timber such as Jack Pine and Poplar, and it is possible that a try-out ship- 

 ment of each type will find its way across the water next year. 



With the American markets, which are our natural outlet for much of 

 our White Pine, narrowed through tariff impositions, other fields must be 

 traversed and inter-Empire trade agreements and co-operative efforts strongly 

 supported. 



