FORESTRY WORK.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18128, 18 July 1924, Page 11

FORESTRY WORK.

NEW ZEALAND'S EXAMPLE. AUSTRALIA'S ADMIRATION*. (rsoa OCT. OK COEJIISrOXDE.vr.) SYDNEY, July 10. Whenever tlio subject of forestry is under consideration in Australia, the magnificent work of New Zealand in this matter is invariably quoted. Many people -who liavo made the Tarawera trip from Rotorua have come back full of admiration of the plantations seon en route, and the figures given by the tourist guides of "what the Dominion has done are quoted and requoted as an objoct-lesson to Australia. The problem has been tackled here, but on nothing like so masterful a principle* and economists join with other interests — including the aesthetics and Naturelovers—in urging tho Governments to follow a bold forestry policy. In Victoria, for some time .past, the Education Department, with the assistance of the Forests Commission, has been furthering a project for encouraging school communities to plant vacant land with pine and other trees, with the object of forming future endowments for the schools, and also with a view to encouraging and stimulating :an interest in forestry. Very satisfactory results have boen achieved, and the plantations actually begun in Vie-, toria now number 35, and embrace an area of close ou 800 acres. In West Australia a comprehensive schome has been drawn up by the Forests Department for school endowment plantations and.arborita. . It was submitted during the term of the lato Government to the then 'Minister of Education and the Minister of Forests, who gave their approval of it. Recently tho new Premier (Mr P. Collier) also approved of tho scheme, and endorsed a proposal' to secure the services of at least one technically-trained officer, possessing a wide experience in plantation work, to devote a considerable portion of his time to the schools,, and with .the power of obtaining the assistance . necessary for the development of the schemes. The Conservator of Forests, for West Australia (Mr- 8. L. Kessell) ' says that his Department hopes to do more in the direction of advising road boards and municipal authorities ■ regarding suitable trees for plantation, both in •the streets and in tho public reserves which come under their control. Th.e Forests League has taken the matter up enthusiastically, and lias taken steps to. secure the co-operation of public bodies. During the negotiations'it has been made plain that. there is. a. great need for the professional advice which the Department hopes to be able to supply in the near future. The extent to which work in the schools' will be possible will depend largely on . the interest taken.; by the teachers and the Parents' and Citizens' • Associations, and also, of course, on the ■willingness for local governing bodies'to make reserved lands available for the'purpose. It is anticipated that parents will, assist in clearing and fencing', ■' where necessary, and that all the.planting and tending will be done by- the children themselves. In all probability a' definite start will be made with the . clearing next summer, ,and planting will begin the following winter.