AFFORESTATION

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 63, 8 December 1926, Page 13

AFFORESTATION

COMPANIES FORM AN ASSOCIATION

COMPLAINT OF UNFAIR CRITICISM

At a conference of representatives 01 afforestation companies held in Wellington yesterday, it was decided to form an association to be known as the New Zealand Timber Growers’ Association. The objects for which the association is established are: To protect the interests oi companies engaged in afforestation work in New Zealand; the collection and circulation among members of information on matters affecting their interests; the fostering of public interest in forestry either by the State, public bodies, companies, or individuals, and the publication of information and matters of interest which will further this object; the encouragement of industries which will assist in a closer utilisation of all forest products; the promotion of forest education and research; co-operation with other associations for the purpose of advancing these objects; the adoption of rules wherebv the transaction of the business of the association may be facilitated; the restraint of any influence detrimentally affecting forestry. A large number of delegates representing forestry interests in all parts of New Zealand were present. The following officers were elected:—President, Mr. W. McArthur (Auckland) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. D. S. Wylie (Auckland) and W. Rout (Nelson) ; committee, Messrs. B. Maxwell (New Plymouth), E. A. Craig (Auckland), M. Chambers (Havelock North), W. Duncan, 11. A. Horrocks, and H. Smith (all Auckland). The president stated that newly-estab-Eshed industries were ever open to criticism, often by those whose qualifications were but slight. , Forestry companies had been subjected to much criticism which in the main had been unfair, and of a destructive character, and which, unfortunately, had impeded the flow of external capital into the Dominion. Bearing these features in mind, the conference had been inaugurated bv companies of foresters who decided to combine chiefly for the purpose of adopting standard practices in connection with forestry management. nursery work, and forest protection, and to further encourage the investment of capital in our planted forests by the people of New Zealand, sister Dominions, and foreign countries. The conveners of the conference believed that forestry companies should have an opportunity of securing the very best technical advice available in connection with the establishment of their forests, more particularly in respect of such matters as the obtaining of statistical growth studies of introduced trees, recom-. mendations for standard planting and nursery practices, the most suitable species of trees to grow, and the various products which can be made from wood. He believed that the most effective method of carrying out these objects was for the various companies represented at the meeting to form themselves into an association. Messrs. A. Hansen and A. R. Entrican, of the State Forestry Service, attended the conference, and stated that the service always endeavoured to stimulate private tree-planting operations.