MEN OF THE TREES.

Evening Star, Issue 22596, 13 March 1937, Page 16

MEN OF THE TREES.

In' England there is an organisation called Men of the Trees. A body with the same name exists in Canada. Trees are among the loveliest of created things, and their utility needs no demonstrating. To commemorate the Coronation a large consignment of acorns has been despatched to Canada, whore they will be planted. The president of the Men of the Trees in Canada sent a message of congratulation to the King on His Majesty’s birthday, stating their intention of planting English oaks and acorns. The association in London gave its practical support to the plan, supervising the arrangements for the despatch of the acorns across thp Atlantic. Precautions were taken on board ship to ensure that the acorns were kept at the right temperature so thai they would be in good condition for planting when they arrived in the Dominion. The destructive effects of the Great War are illustrated in Britain’s woodlands. Over 400,000 acres were felled to meet the exigencies of the occasion, and much of that area has still to be afforested. In efforts to awaken the nation to the urgency of the problem, assertions have been made that Great Britain is the worst wooded country in Europe. Now Zealand has been denuded of much of its bush'since the coming of the white settler, and attention is now being directed to saving what is left and to planting the barren areas. This is a matter in which the Hon. W. E. Parry is keenly interested, and as Minister of Internal Affairs the matter comes directly within his province. He was in Oamaru yesterday and was present at the inaugural meeting of the North Otago Tree Planting Association. The people of Oamaru have done notable work, by the planting of trees, in enhancing the attractions of their' picturesque town. This evidently has impressed itself on the settlers of the outlying districts, and a spirit of emulation has been created. The new organisation is receiving help and encouragement from about a dozen bodies, including the Harbour Board, tjie Farmer's’ Union, and the A. and P. Association. Nature has left much of the country in North Otago hare, but it has been demonstrated in various parts of this end of the province that trees of many varieties can be grown successfully. To carry out extensive planting operations is - the aim of the newly-established association. Mr Parry, in his address yesterday, spoke very much to the point, and stressed the responsibility of the farming community in the matter. He drew a moral from the conditions m the United States, where countless thousands of acres of soil are being blown from the land through the absence of trees. The Minister aptly remarked that in a body such as that now formed there was no room for party politics. “W© can disagree on party politics, but we can act together in this matter,” he said. It is to he riioped that this movement in North Otago will mark the initiation of a vigorous policy throughout the Dominion. There is practically nothing to he said against it and much in its favour. Well-planned afforestation will add greatly to the beauties of the countryside and encourage bird life. It will afford protection in wind-swept areas and localities liable to flooding, and from grouped plantations abundant timber supplies will be secured. -It is the Minister’s declared intention to save the native bush wherever possible, and in carrying out this object Mr Parry is sure of strong support.