Plantations On Farms To Supplement Forests

Press, Volume C, Issue 29472, 25 March 1961, Page 14

Plantations On Farms To Supplement Forests

(New Zealand Press Association)

ROTORUA, March 23. Forests are being established in Nelson were large enough, when allied with farm plantations, to set up a pulp and paper industry in the south, said Mr A. R. Entrican, retiring Director of Forests, in Rotorua today. “I am convinced forestry can only make the optimum contribution to the national economy if we integrate forestry with farming on occupied land,” he said. In the past, large tracts of forests were put on unoccupied land which was readily available. Since then, agricultural methods had been developed for high country and for “hard” country. In many cases it was now easier to grow grass than trees.

“That is not to say that there is not an important place for sizeable forests in timberless districts of the Dominion,” he said. Forestry should not compete with farming for anything more than a small percentage of the land available. When separate forests were

built, there was a high capital investment in roads, fire protection and the establishment of a community, but if the forests were put on areas not suitable for farming, the high cost was avoided.

“Of the 2.000,000 acres of forest planned for 2025,” said Mr Entrican, “I hope we can get 1.000,000 on part of the 31,000,000 acres of farmland. “The Government is seeking ways and means of providing some incentive to farmers to undertake the work.”