A QUIET DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 282, 27 November 1937, Page 17

A QUIET DAY.

PARLIAMENTS WORK.

AUCKLAND IN LIMELIGHT.

FOREST SERVICE DISCUSSED

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Friday,

Little of national interest occupied the attention of the House of Representatives to-day. Jn the morning Auckland held the attention of the House, practically the whole of the sitting being •levoted to a discussion of the Auckland Klcctric Power Board Amendment Bill which provides for a change in the' voting system from ratepayers' to municipal franchise.

When the hill wa* „ n <ler discussion the prime Minister. Mr. Savage rewfc" ?L tU I H ° ÜBe U,at the A <* »"<ler winch the Power Board is now operating was passed the day preceding the close ol a session when there was barely a quorum present He expressed the v'iew that the local bodies concerned did not even in their wildest dreams, imagine that a conservative franchise would have been agreed to on that occasion. With the <■ hanges taking place at present, he visualised Auckland with one local bod • controlling all its activities instead of the present system under which a multiplicity of governing authorities had charge. The bill was read a third time and passed. "Marked Time." In the afternoon the State Forest Service was the main topic of discussion, and its operations were generally applauded by members on both sides of the House. Parliament "marked time"

on this paper until 4 p.m. when the week-end adjournment was taken, an hour having been "chopped off" the usual rising time to enable members to attend a Government reception to the New Zealand cricket team on its return from England.

When the report of the Director of Forestry was under discussion, Mr. G. W. Forbes (National, Hurunui) emphasised that there was a duty to make provision for trees for timber purposes to meet the needs, of future generation*. Present, supplies were being depleted, and it was not right that the country should be denuded of forests that would be required in future years.

Reafforestation work in the Rotorua district was referred to by Mr. A. F. Moncur (Government, Rotorua). After outlining the work that had been accomplished, ha* stressed the point that nothing else could live where pinus insignis was planted. The reverse was the case in respect to Douglas lir, he said.

The opinion was expressed by Mr. J. Jlargest (National, Awarua) that the State should plant some of the leasehold stations in the high country of the South Island.

Exotic Trees. Mr. T. H. McCombs (Government, Lyttelton I said that exotic trees were not altogether the right type for planting in Xew Zealand. They bad certain uses, however, and their value should not be overlooked. He appealed to the Minister to appoint an expert to conduct research work into attacks on timber by such insects as the borer. The lavages of this peat had become increasingly prevalent since the adoption of kiln drying, he declared.

The Commissioner of State Forests, Mr. Langstone, said the Government had done everything to assist the Southland beech industry. It had even made an offer to have butter boxes made- of beech, but this had not been accepted. There was no better timber for inside work or for furniture than Southland silver beech, and anyone who wanted a practical demonstration of that could not do better than visit the Wellington railway station to view the panelling. The Forest Service had a progressive jiolicy, and he was prepared to work with>members of the House in developing forestry work. Where there were areas suitable for afforestation at the right price he would endeavour to see that they wsre purchased and planted. The debate was adjourned when the House rose.