FORESTRY

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 128, 31 May 1916, Page 8

FORESTRY

DISCUSSED BY FARMERS

ITS DEVELOPMENT URGED

"By all calculations the country will, in 20 years, be bared, of all marketable timbers," said Mr. A\'. J. Birch at the Farmers' Union Conference at Levin yesterday, and he urged that better provision, should ba made by the increased planting of trees. The matter was a very serious one, and worthy, of the utmost consideration. . Mr. Birch's views I were expressed in the following remit, put forward on behalf of the executive : — "That the conference urgel upon the 'Minister of Lands the importance of continuing forestry operations in suit-' able districts in the Dominion, and that, in order to encourage. private planting, suitable men be appointed to visit and instruct farmers'in planting, and also provide pine seeds at a reasonable, cost." Mr. Perry (Masterton) said the matter was one that should interest farmers more than it had. done in the past. Mr. Matheson (Rongomai) drew attention to the fact that the Government had already done a great deal, but he would like to see much more .development after the war. He looked forward to. the time when there would be a forestry department providing much re venue, and he moved as an amendment that the great importance of developing forestry operations immediately after the war should be urged upon the Minister of Lands. The amendment was lost on the casting vote of the President, and the remit carried. ' REMITTING TAXES. On behalf of Palmerston North, Mr. J. A. M'Leary moved : "That tree-planting. by farmers be encouraged by the Government remitting certain taxation on land so planted." ' Mr. G. L. Marshall' (Marton) said it would be useless and inadvisable to ask the Government to remit any taxation during the war. Other speakers thought that the question coul'" very well be held over untii some1 future time. Mr. H. A. Nevins (Tinui) opposed the motion, stating that the farmer w&s already thoroughly well compensated in the way of improvements as the result of planting trees on his property. Mr. Matheson also stated that he would vote against the proposal. Farmers should certainly be encouraged to plant, but they should be encouraged by being interested in the welfare of their grandchildren. Mr. Lynch (Paraparaumu) said that the farmer who did not plant trees on his own property showed a short-sighted policy. Farmers would obtain an ample return for any money spent on planting trees. The motion was lost. . ':' - '