FORESTRY BILL

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 6

FORESTRY BILL

BEFORE THE HOUSE. PERSONNEL OF BOARD. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Thursday. The Forests Bill was taken in Committee by the House to-night. The ■bill is in charge of tlm Hon. D. H. Guthrie. At clause 14, Mr. O. J. Havricen (Kgmont) moved an amendment, the effect t>f would. ; be to eninire the compulsory retirement of three members of the 'board at stated periods, such members not 'beiiig eligible for reaippointment. The object was to ensure the supply of new 'blood to the Forest Advisory Board. Alter teng"thy discussion, Mr. Hawken agreed to witlidraw Ihia anien-dinent, tlie Mmisteir undertaking to submit the proposal to the Attomey-Ceneral, who is reaHy the "father of the bill." If Sir Francis Hell agreed to accept the amendment it would be inserted in another plaice. Air. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) moved that at lcaet two representatives of Co<inty Councils "be appointed to the board. The Minister at first refused to consider the amendment, but on many members supporting it he agreed to lioid over consideration of tlie whole clause in order to give time for consultation with Sir Francis Bell. At clause 20, Air. G. Mitchell (Wellington South) moved an amendment, which wouid have the effect of placing provisional forests under the control of a Ministry of Forests instead of tho Minister for Lands. The Minister opposed the amendment, whWi was 'lost by 20 votes to 9. In clause 33, on the Minister's motion, the term for which a lease migiit be granted under tlie clause, was increased from 15 to 25 years. In reply to Mr. Holland, the Minister said there was no intentioii to interfere u-ith the existing arrangements for collcctin? royalties on timber, and local bodies -would not be impoverished by the passing of the bill.