N.S.W. FORESTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 123, 20 November 1935, Page 11

N.S.W. FORESTRY

NEW TREND OF POLICY

EXOTIC SOFTWOODS MAY GO

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, November 13. According to the New South Wales Minister for Forests (Mr. Vincent), the State's exotic softwoods plantations, on which about £500,000 has been spent, may shortly be abandoned. There are 24 such plantations, comprising 34,000 acres. Faced with a grave depletion of natural hard and soft woods, the Government will probably' embark on a programme of afforestation to replace them.

Mr. Vincent says that the position is serious, and the wisdom of persevering with a policy of planting artificial forests, which has so far proved unsuccessful, is challenged by departmental experts. "There is a grave depletion of our timber reserves," said Mr. Vincent, "and the shortage of some of the most accessible varieties is already being felt. There is a great need of conservation work. In future, the hardwoods of the State will receive the first attention in any scheme aiming at meeting the timber needs of the present and future. A sum of £300,000 has been made available for the purpose and is to be spent in opening up new forest areas and in silviculture.

Data available indicates that the hardwoods of New South Wales are the most vigorous trees in the world and that their rate of growth is phenomenal, provided that a proper thinning technique is applied. On indigenous softwoods, very little has been done in studying their silviculture, but the matter is engaging the consideration of the Forestry Commission. It is hoped that the more valuaable species will be perpetuated in the areas where nature has placed them. Already officers of the commission have visited Queensland to study the hoop-pine plantations, and the technique that has been applied so successfully in that State. It is intended to re-establish the hoop-pine in New South Wales in areas where at one time it nourished. Increasing attention is also being given to cypress pine in inland areas. If a progressive policy is continued, cypress pine will make a valuaable contribution to the timber supplies of the State.

Mr. F. H. Corke, one of the bestknown timber authorities in the Stat« expressed the view that (he continuation of softwood cultivation was necessary. "Those who think," he said, "that hardwood only should be used for almost every purpose, and those who are at present campaigning against the planting of softwoods, might well consider the established facis that the consumption of hardwood has always been in direct relation to the consumption of softwoods. I have once more noticed the start of an agitation for further tariff duties upon timber and yet could show that, even at the present rate of cutting indigenous limbers, a shortage of many of the principal building timbers is not lar distant.'1

British old age pensioners between the ages of 65 and 70 now number about 065.001).