FORESTRY LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 18332, 20 July 1923, Page 3

FORESTRY LEAGUE

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.

TREES FOR POWER POLES.

In delivering his presidential address at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Forestry . League last evening, Sir James Wilson ruorred specially to the urgent need of planting trees suitable for the poles more and more needed by electric power boards. “Wo havo only one motive species which, wo can use—viz., ■diver pine,” ho said, “ but it is scarce hffd does not stand thp same strain as the encalypts used, although quite suitable for general purposes. It is, however, scarce, arid that of tho West Coast of the South Island is almost worked out. The State, in this matter, should be tho pioneers. It is doubtful if the climate of much of New Zealand is suitable for tho growth of tho best species for pole purposes, but there must be a largo area in tho north suitable, and only awaiting planting. There havo been so many disappointments when imported Australian poles have been used that tho utmost care is necessary to ascertain the proper varieties to grow. In an article lately published in ‘ Board and Council,' the writer, a power board inquirer, stressed the fact that after tho most careful inquiries—greatly assisted by the Forestry Department in Now South Wales—lie came to the conclusion to specify only three varieties—viz., E. Faniculata, E. Crebra, and E. Sideropbloia, Von Mueller records them as natives of Now South Wales and Queensland. Our progenitor, the late Sir David Hutchins, in his report, advised that E. Corynibosa should be planted north of Auckland to supply sleepers, but its habit, I have heard, renders it unsuitable for poles, though extremely durable. There are others which are recommended, but these three species stand out on their own. strength and durability. If the Government would procure seed true to name, and plant a plot for demonstration purposes, many would no doubt follow suit. Given suitable land and climate and a successful plantation, in twenty or thirty years from planting it is certain that such poles would be worth £1 apiece. Planted 6ft apart there would bo 1,210 trees to the acre. The advice to plant pears for your heirs might be paraphrased into; ‘Plant encalypts as an endowment for every child when born,’ and it would beat all possible insurance investments. “It would be well if the Forestry Service were to make careful investigation ns to the best timbers to grow for this purpose in Australia, in conjunction with the Forestry Department in tho various States. While these mentioned are undoubtedly suitable, the supply of these, owing to the great number we require, will soon be scarce. In accordance with their usual habitat they may require to be grown in the warmer districts in Now Zealand. It may bo that some variety, quite durable and suitable for pole purposes, might be found in Tasmania, and, if so, it could no doubt be grown in southern districts. If this investigation were made and an authentic report published, it might be tho means of saving a very large sum to Now Zealand. Already many poles have had to be renewed after a very short service, and there are signs that many more will soon have to be replaced. Tho only drawback to the mcalypts is that in some districts they are attacked by a scale which has dona great damage on the West Coast, but its natural enemy, the ladybird, has been liberated in the plantations, and it is hoped will he able to cope with the pest —as it has already done in the South Island. ■ 'UMBER EXPORT. ” The question of the export of timber is now in the hands of tho Forest Department, and while the longue in general is in favor of New Zealand timber for New Zealanders, there may be some special cases in which a relaxation of the stringent rules might be politic, so as to enable the poorer classes of timber, which otherwise would be wasted, being classed as exportable. Hie saw-millers have given ns cordial support and have worked well with tho service. Wo should at all times give their interests full consideration. Another point which more and more will become important when privately-owned timber areas are cut out, is the question of royalties. As royalties go up owing to tho scarcity of available forest, so must tho price of timber rise, and the additional cost be passed on to the user. Although no doubt more and more use will be made of concrete for building purposes, there must ever be a demand for timber. The Forest Service, which in a couple of decades must be the holders of most of the millable timber, should be chary of unduly raising the royalty. They have not shown any indication of this; but it is a point which must be kept in anew. FAIRER TAXATION. A matter which the league deems very important and hearing upon the encouragement of private planting is taxation. When a farmer fences off a part of his farm to form a plantation the land in use is taxed upon the unimproved value of it at the same rate aa his adjoining land from which ho receives—or at least hopes to receive, and there have been many cases of disappointment in this direction recently—an animal return. The trees will return nothing for many years, fend this discourages many from planting. It most certainly is to the advantage of the State that tree planting should bo encouraged, and it is hoped unit some fairer basis of taxation will bo arrived at. Even if these areas were tax free, it would be no serious loss to the State, and I am sure would result in much more planting being done. Already we have seen the great increase of planting which has taken place owing to State assistance by way of young trees being supplied for shelter and timber purposes, but when they find they have to pay an annual tax upon the land devoted to this purpose their enthusiasm will, to say tho least of it, be dampened. LOCAL BODY PLANTATIONS.

“ Whilst it undoubtedly is a -wise thing for local bodies to plant any reserves otherwise unused, there are few authorities which have any land for this purpose. They find that the requirement of making and keeping the roads in order already more than absorbs the funds at their disposal, and the experience of those districts which coma under my * ken ’ is that any increase of rates is much objected to. I believe, however, that in some districts Now Zealand local bodies, where they had reserves suitable for the purpose, have wisely planted them with useful trees, which are already giving good service. “ Even the sand dunes, of which there are, I understand, some 300 odd thousand acres on the West Coast of this island, are either under private ownership or State owned; but if Dome of these were handed over to the local bodies I have no doubt they would make a great endeavor to seo that they were planted, I should like here to place on record that the first person who suggested that they should be used for this purpose was the late Thomas MTCenzie, of Carnarvon, son of one of our pioneer settlers in Rangitikei, and ever since he made the suggestion there has been continued interest taken in furthering the object. Before the war the Lands Department took the matter in hand, and an official was sent from Rotorua to begin the work. He was a zealous officer, and 1 would soon have made headway had not the war intervened and the work stopped. There are, however, a few trees still standing to show the beginning of the work, This work has now been undertaken by the forest sendee, and wa all trust that the service will not weary in well-doing, but will continue tills work con amore.”