FOREST POLICY

Evening Star, Issue 18051, 19 August 1922, Page 2

FOREST POLICY

FUTUBE TIMBER SUPPLIES. SURVEY OF POSITION. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.! WELLINGTON, August 18. In forwarding tho report on the Forestry Service, the director (Mr L. M. Ellis) remarks that 2,600,000 acres of forested Crown lands have been, defined, and are still awaiting dedication as provisional State forests. These areas are highly desirable for proclamation and administration by the service. A serious delay in tho practical fulfilment _o£ tho forests policy and in the building of State forests as permanent wood-producing properties is being caused by the lack of trained forest technicians and other properly-instructed forest officers. He sincerely hopes that financial conditions will permit of the creation of technical and educational facilities within the next year. The fact that two forest conservation regions in Wellington and in Nelson a.iffi Marlborough are without conservators is commented upon, and it is added that forest research and the experimental programme arc sadly hampered by tho lack of a trained forest investigator. A comprehensive series of studies, tests, and 'investigations in indigenous and man-mado forests is deemed necessary to evolve an adequate silvicultural policy and a workable system of natural and artificial re growth in our forest-producing properties. These important and vital works may only bo executed in conjunction with a properly-equipped experimental station. This, tho director suggests, should bo established in Westland, in the heart of New Zealand’s greatest forest region. ' Tho incidence of taxation on forest lands and plantations ho criticised as a bar to planting and tho operation of private forestry and tree farms; and he requests investigation of an equitable, scheme of tax3-‘ tion. Tho director comments that a scientific method' of taxation, whereby the '' major burden comes at the culmination, of tho crop, would stimulate a fuller participation by the public in the profitable business of growing trees for shelter, profit, and domestic use. SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS. Tho report favorably comments on tho fact that during the year 272,551 acres of highly commercial Crown lands havo been dedicated as a provisional State forest, and it expresses gratification at the substantial increase in the establishment of nlantation shelter belts, etc., by many branches of the community. Over 4.000. trees and over 4001 bof tree seeds were disposed of to private planters during the year by tho service; and privately 10.000. trees or 10,000. acres were planted during the year. Tho State plantations of A 2.000 acres are estimated to be worth £2,000,000. Tho revenue for the year was £31,000. the largest since 3.912. This revenue—26s per cent, higher than in 1920—is attributed to the introduction of a. progressive sales policy, increased exploitation, and closer control over the royalty returns. TIMBER TRESPASSERS AND THEFTS. It is hoped that the creation of fir© districts this year and improvement _of the technique of detection and ©oppression will ensure a. continuation of the splendid work of fire prevention during the year. FOREST INVENTORY. Fifty per cent, of forest inventory was completed during the year, while, in cooperation with the Auckland University College, it-was possible to begin the technological testing programme of important indigenous timber trees. This branch research is deemed most important for New Zealandyraa the annual timber wastage bill amounts to 8,000,000 tons. Ihe inventory, continues the report, has revealed the existence of large masses of merchantable timber in out-of-the-way corners. The work is bringing to light the intimate relation between ■ agricultural settlement, water conservation, and stream flow. In the Rotorua region it has been found that 95 per cent- of the forest land is unfitted for settlement, and a. very largo proportion of forest lands may be regarded as absolutely necessary for soil protective purposes. Successful settlement on the Mamaku plateau and in the Waccekn watershed has been found impossible. Ihe Urewcra Country stands as guard and protector over tho fertility of the rich Rougilaiki land, and is tho last stronghold and source of life iu the heart of the North Island forests. It should be conserved ami managed in perpetuity as a great limheiproducing centre. RECEIPTS OF SERVICE. The total -receipts of the service. £30.836, wore £11,139 more than the previous year, while ihe expenditure totalled £107.082, as against £79,551 in tlm previous year. FUTURE SUPPLIES. The rapid exhaustion of standing timber is strikingly shown. In five years it is estimated that at least thirty saw-mills in the King Country will have permanently closed, and that within fifteen years the Main Trunk-Ohaku-ne district will have ceased to provide for more than local timber .supplies. Tho centre of timber production is moving to Westland, and the year is noteworthy for the marked increase of potential milling capacity in that district. It now totals 100,000,000 superficial feet annually. Westland and Southland, it is predicted", will shortly be able to provide for general national needs."’ Sand dun© reclamation is also dealt wiili in.the report, an experiment station being established at the mouth of the Rangitikei River; and as a result, of tho work the service hopes to define the procedure of tho construction, cost, and_ method of bringing into national production at least 30,000 acres of valueless land. OUR EXPORT TRADE. Dealing with the timber trade, the report, states that the flooding of Australian markets with. Baltic, Canadian, and American Pacific Coast, timbers caused considerable slackening in th© demand for rimu and white pine; but th© superiority of New Zealand woods (proved every day) will, it'is anticipated, with the preferential tariff, cause tho Australian market to return to normal. Tho average value of all sawn timber exported to Australia increased by Is per 100 super, feet over the previous year. As to the future, many opportunities exist for specialised use of many local timbers, and with the proper development of economic research work it should bo possible (says the report) to reduce imports by at least 80 per cent., thus effecting a saving to the communitv of £250,000.