OUR TIMBER RESOURCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 229, 24 September 1920, Page 6

OUR TIMBER RESOURCES.

LEAGUE OF FORESTRY FORKED TO DEVELOP INDUSTRIES. AND PROMOTE RESEARCH WORK. , The formation of a League of Forestry in the Auckland province, and the immediate furtherance of educative research and practical measures to conserve and develop the timber resources of New Zealand in the best' possible manner, were the objects of a public meeting of business und professional men held in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, in response to an invitation from the mayor (Mr. J. H. Ourwoii). Mr. (Junson stated that people were only now realising the immense importance of our timber resources, and, with the increase of activity to conserve the timber und to develop the industries connected with it, Auckland had to take a more direct interest than had yet been done. It was only by enthusiastic organised effort o"n the part of the people that the very far-reaching possibilities of forestry could be realised, and while the Government had made a laudable stiurt by the establishment of a Department of forestry and the appointment of a director, it was necessary for the citizens to see that there was no lapse into apathy. The need for development was urgent, and he felt that public realisation of the urgency should be impressed on the Government, with an Intimation that 4he people recognised that an absolute necessity for the success of the new department was the money to put it on a footing of practi< cal efficiency. He moved; "That the Cioveriunent he congratulated on the initiation of the department, and be impressed with the urgent necessity for an adequate vote this session to promote sufficient extension in the national interests of up-to-date forestry." The motion was curried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Stanley Milrov, a resolution was curried urging that, notwithstanding previous, investigations, the Government set up a Royal Commission or other tribunal, to inquire and report as to the establishment, of paper manufacturing in the Dominion, nnd of other industries for which, from the efficient treatment of forest ureas and their energetic extension, adequate supplies of raw material would be available.

Mr. H. M. Hills remarked that the Industrial Association hud considered these matters and had come to the conclusion that beyond the wood pulp possibilities of the New Zealand fore-ts, there was much-to be done in putting the harvesting of timber on a scientific basis to ensure the saving of the smaller timber for minor industries, nnd the selection and planting of quick-growing trees for similar purposes. This resolution also was carried. •

The meetine: also passed a resolution assuring the Government of nn increasing practical interest throughout the district in modern forestry, and pledging support to the proposed school of forestry, which it urged should be attached to the Auckland University. Speakers argued that in addition to the si/.o and importance of the province, the fact that the large timber industries relatively close to the city, giving special opportunity for practical instruction and research, and tho wide stretches of Auckland country especially suited for afforestation and little else, offered a peculiarly appropriate field at this end of the Dominion lor forestry instruction and research.

Finally, on the motion of Mr. 8. I. Clarke, the meeting decided to establish ii League of Forestry, to bp known as the Auckland Provincial League of Forestry, and deferred the drafting of constitution and rules and the appointment of officers till a later meeting, to be called by the Mayor. Mr. Clarke stated that a similar movement had been started in Canterbury and Wellington. While such bodies in each province must have much in common and must co-operate to a largo extent, there was so much variation throughout the Dominion in conditions, climate, and experiences that there must of necessity be matters in which one province could hoi be bound by the experiences of the others. Consequently while recognising the New Zealand League of Forestry formed in Wellington, the Auckland body would probably find it wise not to have its hands' tied by absolute subordination to the decisions of the New Zealand League.