PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 22817, 27 November 1937, Page 29

PARLIAMENT

BRIEF DEBATE ON FORESTRY POLICY [Ter United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 26. • The Auckland Electric Power Board ■Amendment Bill was quickly put through the committee stages, read a third time, and passed when the House resumed at 2.30 p.m. The remainder of the afternoon was devoted to consideration of papers. Discussing the annual report of the Director of Forestry Air Forbes stated it was our duty to make provision for trees for timber purposes for future generations. We were using up the timber of the country to-day, and it was not right that the country should be deprived of forests for the future. Mr Moncur outlined the reafforestation work in the Rotorua district, and stressed the fact that nothing could live where pinus insignis was planted, hut the reverse was true in the case of the Douglas fir. Mr Hargcst advocated that the State should plant some of leasehold station lands in the high country. Such work would enhance the value of the stations themselves, and also provide a national asset for the future. ' Mr M'Combs congratulated the department oh the work it was doing in the planting of native trees. Exotic trees were not altogether the right type for planting in New Zealand, although they had certain uses, and their value should not be overlooked. He appealed to the Minister to appoint an expert to conduct research work into attacks by such insects as the borer on timber. The Minister in charge of the State Forest Service, Mr Langstone, said the Government had done everything it could to assist the Southland beech industry. It had even made an offer to have the timber made into butter boxes, but the offer had been turned down. There was no better timber for inside work or for furniture than Southland silver beech. His department had a very progressive policy, and the Minister himself was quite prepared to work in with members. Where suitable areas could be purchased at the right price he could assure them they would be taken over and planted. On the motion for the adjournment at 4 p.m. the Rrime Minister intimated that the business before the House on Monday would be consideration of the Public Works Statement and EstiThe House rose at 4 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Monday.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November .26, The Legislative Council met at 2.30 Messrs W. Perry, T. Bloodworth, and Martin were appointed to meet the managers of the House to discuss the disagreement on the Whaugarei Airport Bill. . The second reading of the Finance Bill was moved by the Leader of the Council (Hon. M. Fagan), who argued that the Government’s policy was one of single ownership to be attained through the Railways Department. Hon. T. Brindle said he disagreed. The Government’s policy was not one of single ownership, but of proper organisation. The debate was adjourned. •Mr Martin reported that the Council’s managers had decided to adhere to the amendment made to the Whangarei Airport Bill.