Co.

Softwood Plywood Monufqcturers Urged to Export

Exports, particularly to European markets, could provide the answer to the softwood plywood industry's problems of excess capacity and oversupply, Daniel L. Goldy. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Comcerce for Domestic and International Business, told members oI the Douglas Fir Plywood Association at the annual meeting, June 12.

"However, to compete successfully overseas, the industry will have to solve the problem of competitive shipping rates; it must be willing to produce to European standards and sizes; and it must make the effort to cultivate foreign markets on a continuing basis and to devote a significant portion of production to this market," Mr. Goldy said.

It was to eliminate the trade barriers to such export opportunities as those available to the softwood plywood industry, that the President gave the Trade Expansion Act top priority in his 1962 legislative program, Mr. Goldy said.

"The Department of Commerce has been holding a series of industry meetings, including one with your industry, to obtain specific information on what the United States should be seeking in the negotiations to be held next year under the Gen- eral Agreement on Tarifis and Trade under the authority of the new Trade Expansion Act," he said.

He urged association members to consider pooling of overseas shipments of both plywood and lumber to take maximum advantage of charter rates. He suggested the possibility of accomplishing the pooling by the establishment of a company under the provisions of the Webb-Pomerence Act.

Don't bother to paint wood patio decks. It isn't necessary to protect the Douglas fir lumber and, if you paint, you'll only have to repaint at some future tim,e.