IN DANGER

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1918, Page 5

IN DANGER

NEW ZEALAND'S TIMBER SUPPLIES

FORESTRY LEAGUE'S ANNUAL

MEETING

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Forestry League was held last evening, . at the . Dominion Farmers' Institute. Sir James 1 G. Wilson (president) occupied the chair, and amongst those present, were the Hon. Sir Francis Bell (Commissioner of State Forests), Hon. D. H. Guthrie (Minister of Lands), Mr. W. H. Field,, M.P., Mr. W. Ferguson (Chairman National Efficiency Board), and Mr. D. E. Hutchins (Forestry Expert, late of the Indian and South African Forestry Services).

Sir James G. Wilson, in the course of his address, said the year's work of the Forestry League had not been without good fruit. The interest created by the league, and the repeated warnings as to the danger of the situation with regard to future timber supplies, had the effect which was hoped for, viz., a strong public opinion that something should be done so as to preserve our remaining forests. When Mr. Massey was previously at Home, Sir Francis Bell gave instructions that ' the ' Waipou kauri forest should be demarcated, thus making a start in that absolutely essential work. On his return, Mr. Massey promised that forestry should be. allocated to a separate department,- which was in due. course taken over by ■ Sir Francis Bell. He was sure that Sir Francis Bell was seized of the importance of immediate steps being taken, and, though acting, with prudence, was dealing with the i whole question as quickly as political ! exigencies would allow him to. Hitherto it. had been natural-for the Minister of Lands to settle the land at his disposal as quickly as he could. They now saw the great mistake that had been made in the past, for before any bush was disposed of, demarcation should have been the first step. The absence . of. this step had resulted... in much bush being disposed of for settlement which was more suitable for timber-grow-ing than any other crop, and which should have been retained by the State for timber purposes. . .

■ KAURI FORESTS. Kauri,' probably the finest timber in the world, growing on, unsuitable land for, .{settlement, had'melted away, but there was yet time to.save the remnants of it, and if prompt steps were taken now they should be able to. leave to future generations an invaluable asset. Sir James Wilson, paid a tribute to ,the work of 'Mr. Hutchins, who had awakened a great,interest in -the preservation and extension of our. kauri forests. Sir Francis Bell had already taken steps in this, direction, and the league would, no doubt, give him every assistance possible. Owing to its value, it is, perhaps, of greater importance that our kauri, should.be .preserved and regenerated tKan any other forest tree. , ' BUILDING/TIMBERS.

Yet, he added, there was much mixed bush essential for building timbers sufficient, possibly, for future wants, if our bush were- treated on forest science lines. Many were still sceptical as to recorded growths of our various timbers, and perhaps we had not sufficient data yet to dogmatise- on the subject; but all the information we had went to prove that the casual observation of the growth of our forest trees was somewhat misleading, and that some of our native trees under forest conditions' grew faster than the record of trees in other countries.

AFFORESTATION. The continued encouragement {or pri-. vate and State planting of exotics for use to replace the white pine timber, which was now being used up so rapidly, must be part of our work. It seemed clear that advice given some years ago by the Forestry. Commission stood good to-day on this point, and that pinus insignis and poplar should be planted much more freely. There were areas of sand dunes on the West Coast (besides elsewhere), between Wellington and Patea., that could be planted with pines to the greatest advantage, and they would all be within easy reach of rail and in the midst of the dairying district, which industry -was dependent upon white pine for butter-boxes and cheesecrates. ' .■'■.'. Sir James Wilson, in conclusion, said the course of action of the league seemed clear—namely, to get public opinion thoroughly aroused, and toiaim at having all the bush still in the hands of the Crown demarcated before it was opened for sale or lease; that bueh set aside for milling be made inalienable except for the purpose of- timber growing ; that the planting, of ' fast-growing trees for soft wood purposes should be pressed on with greater and greater expedition ; and that private individuals be encouraged to plant for their own use'hard wood trees. An instructive address on "Forestry" was delivered by Mr. D. E. Hutchins. He dealt at length with the question of forest conservation. and afforestation in New Zealand, and gave interesting details of the work being done in connection with forestry in some parts of Europe, in South Africa, and in Australia. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address. . LEGISLATION NECESSARY.

Sir Francis 7 Bell (Commissioner of State Forests) said he was very much indebted, as must be everyone else in this country, to Mr. Hutchins, who had devoted a vast amount of time, and who took the keenest interest in, the preservation and use of the forests of New Zealand. ' He thought, however, that Mr. Hutchins did an injustice to the past. In New Zealand the State forests had been set apart—not demarcated —but had been absolutely set apart, and were under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of State Forests. There was a great deal of forest-covered Crown land that, ought to be added to the State forests. Very little more could be done without legislation. He could not indicate what' the nature of that legislation would be, because that would be giving the legislation away, but .he thought it was extremely likely that a very considerable number of farmers would-object to the legislation. Hon. i D. H. Guthrie (Minister of Lands) complimented Mr. Hutchins on his address, and alluded to the interest which he and Sir Francis Bell both took in the question of afforestation and forest ' preservation. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year :—President,' Sir James G. Wilson; hon. secretary, Mr. F. W. Furkert; hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Leigh Hunt; hon. auditor, Mr. D. T. Stuart; secretary, Mr. E. C. Jack; members of council, Hon. D. Buddo, Messrs. James Deans, W. D. Hunt, E. Phillips Turher, S. I. Clarke, L. 0. H. Tripp, N. King. E. Crosby Smith, J. Orchiston, and Hon. A. T. Ngata.