FORESTRY REPORT

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 23, 21 October 1944, Page 8

FORESTRY REPORT

Complaint By Opposition “SMELL OF SOCIALISM” The tone of the State Forest Service's annual report was criticized by several Opposition members in the House yesterday when the department's estimates were considered. Mr. Bowden (Opposition, Wellington West) said many of the statements in the report were antagonistic to private interests, and the officials seemed to have gone out of their way to be provocative. He did not think some of the statements were justified iu a departmental report, specially when the department was in competition with private sawmilling enterprise. “The report smelled of Socialism,” said Mr. Sullivan (Opposition, Bay of Plenty). “I am surprised that any State official should be allowed to write such things.” Was it the policy of the department to assist sawmillers? be asked. If so, was that reflected iu the policy laid down that millers could only obtain milling rights for 12 months at a time and were under the liability of having to move expensive plant at short intervals? Could increased production of timber for which the building trade was starving be secured from that policy? “We should have a show down on the department’s policy,” added Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Langstone (Government, Waimarino) said the previous speaker did not know what he was talking about. The sawmillers, the dairy industry and the people of New Zealand had a Jot of unseen work to thank the department for, lie continued, referring to the work it had done in ensuring supplies of butter boxes and timber for making them. Air. Murdoch (Opposition, Marsden) referred to the use of cardboard boxes for the packing of butter. Was it planned to continue with these in future or save our timber for boxmaking? he asked.

Air. Langstonc: When you were Alinister of Agriculture you imported shocks from Sweden.

Air. Sullivan said it appeared to be the policy of the Government to get control of the forests. An effort should be made to acquire land suitable for planting trees, particularly on the East Coast. A policy of dispersal throughout both islands should be adopted with exotic forests instead of having them concentrated in the centre of the North Island, lie believed that if New Zealand adopted a forward progressive forest policy it could build up an export trade iu soft woods. The interruption of the debate prevented the Alinister. Air. Skinner, from replying.