THE NEWS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25080, 11 January 1947, Page 3

THE NEWS

Sir,—Hurrah! for “Civilised News” in your issue of January 7. I have often wondered whether it is the fear of losing subscribers or just custom which makes our New Zealand papers so full of “negative” or sensational news, in a world taking such vast constructive daily strides. I heartily support the “full column” idea and modestly suggest a further eighth of a column for hobbies, so that our youth will be stimulated to do something in their spare time rather than just drift, hoping to find amusement. —Yours, etc., ADVANCE CIVILISATION. January 10, 1947. ARBORETUMS Sir,—Many landholders could plant large tree collections. The great forester of the United States, C. G. Sargent, in an article on the subject, says: “A collection of trees properly labelled is needed in every institution of learning and in every large centre of population.” He shows that France originated the movement, that Kew Gardens, just a century ago, came under public control, and that the first director, the great botanist, Hooker, gave it a world-wide reputation which, despite its small size and exposure to London smoke, has been maintained. Philadelphia followed, and then New York and Ottawa. Finally, the Arnold collection was taken over Jjy Boston and Harvard University under a 1000-year contract between them. The area will now be about 250 acres, surpassed only by that of 750 acres, projected and now begun, at Moscow.—Yours, etc., JAS. R. WILKINSON. Rangiora, January 9, 1947.