Plans To Encourage Forestry

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31168, 19 September 1966, Page 3

Plans To Encourage Forestry

(N.Z. Press Association» WESTPORT, Sept. 18. Plans for a forestry jnvouragement scheme were described by the Minister of Forests (Mr Gerard) to the Nelson - Marlborough - West Coast League of Local Bodies. Mr Gerard told the league that legislative authority has been given for the scheme for local bodies, and information will be released shortly. The scheme provides for loans at 3 per cent compound interest of up to £4O per acre for planting and tending exotic plantations, subject to the approval of the Local Authorities Loans Board. If the plantations are satisfactorily managed rebates of up to 50 per cent may be granted, at the fortieth year or year of clear felling, whichever is the sooner. Where need for extra finance Is established, an additional loan not subject to rebate and at ruling local body interest rates of up to £2O an acre, may be authorised. These loans may not be used to buy land, but any suggestion for administrative action that will help to provide land for local body

afforestation in Marlborough will receive consideration. Mr Gerard turned down a league proposal that a State forestry scheme be implemented immediately in a 1.5 million acre block in the Tuamarina valley, between Blenheim and Picton. The Minister said that while he appreciated the forestry potential of parts of Marlborough, the Forest Service was committed to an in-

creased planting programme in the Nelson district. Financial and material resources which could be allocated to afforestation in the Nelson forest conservancy were not unlimited. They would be fully extended to achieve the current major objective of establishing a wood-based industry in Nelson within the next decade. Mr Gerard said that when a start was made on parallel

development in Marlborough, a good deal of money would be needed to buy and set up and equip Forest Service establishments. This money could be used to greater advantage in the immediate future of localities selected after, careful consideration of a number of different aspects.

The matter had to be looked at broadly in the interests of the country as a whole, he said.