EMPIRE FORESTRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 October 1928, Page 5

EMPIRE FORESTRY

WELCOME TO DELEGATION.

(Special to “Star.")

WELLINGTON, October 8. At the luncheon given by the Government to the. Empire Forestry delegates, proposing the toast of -“.Our Guests,” the Prime Minister said it was a unique privilege for those present to have the opportunity of meeting such distinguished visitors from all parts of the Empire. Their presence showed the importance of the question of forestry, and, more than that, the desire to get together and know the Empire. It brought home to them the necessity of trade within their own family. The members of

the delegation might have been surprised at the welcorne they received in the harbour this morning—(laughter) —but there was an old Maori saying, “To arrive with tears is to leave with smiles.” They in New Zealand were proud of the stock from which they sprang, and members of the delegation could be assured of a hearty welcome in all parts of the country. The object of the Forestry Conference was to get to know what was happening in various parts of the Empire, and to endeavour to use the forestry, resources of the Empire to the best advantage. Forestry questions were exercising the minds of the leading men ofi all countries in the world at the present time. It was a matter for regret that Lord Lovat was not present at the luncheon, for that gentleman was a true Empire builder in every sense of the term, and they were all looking forward to meeting him. All New Zealanders were interested in afforestation, and much good work had been accomplished in the direction of conserving the forests and converting them to economic use. The industry would be completely and thoroughly organised, and that involved the most careful investigation of the whole problem. New Zealand had gone as far as any other country in regard to forestry, and they were hoping for even greater progress as the resplt of the visit of the delegation. Apart altogether from strict business,, the Government hoped they would get to

know the members be tter as the representatives of sister portions of the Empire. (Applause). . Speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr P. F raser (Wellington Central) endorsed all that Mr Coates had said. The whole of the people of New Zealai d were seized with the importance of the subject of forestry, and were pr< ud of the Department which was administering it. The Department could be assured of the support of all sec ions of political thought in the Dominion. Responding to the tc ist, Lord Clynton assured those pre sent that the delegation appreciated the welcome that had been extended to them. He was glad to know that all sections of New Zealand were lie- n on the advancement of forestry. The Imperial side of their work cou'd not be overemphasised, for the matters they were discussing a.ffocted the whole Empire and its future welfare. It was essential they should know vzhat was going on in various parts of Hie Empire.. In England, they had only just begun to restore the forests which had been destroyed, but the qu sstion was . a wider one than that. It was essential that every portion of the Empire should play its part, and for that reason they were glad to know what was being accomplished in New Zealand. In this connection, he paid a tribute to the work of Sir Francis Bell, whom he described as a pioneer of forestry in New Zealand. The progress which had been made in New Zealand was greater than that of any other portion of the Empire. (Applause). He did not believe a forester could be fully and successfully trained in his own country, and for that reason he thought the members of the forestry service in New Zealand should be given an opportunity to visit forests in other parts of the world. The members of the delegation were looking forward to their visit to various portions of the Dominion. Mr E. H. Finlayson, Director of Forestry at Ottawa, also responded to the toast, and expressed thanks for the welcome which had been extended to the members of the delegation. He referred to the development of forestry in various parts of the Empire. He concluded by wishing Mr Coates and Mr Fraser every success at the coming election. (Laughter). The delegates leave for Dunedin tonight. New Zealand’s quota to the conference includes Mr E. P. Turner, Director of Forestry, and some dozen Departmental officers. EXOTIC TREES.

WELLINGTON, October 8. The Empire Forestry delegates, who arrived to-day, met in conference and debated a. report on exotic trees by Mr H. R. Blandford, Conservator of Forests for Burma. He expressed a natural preference for the woods that God had given them, and was not in favour of exotics. The only test of success with exotics was whether they succeeded in reproducing themselves. Mr C. Elgeal, Chief Conservator of] Forests for South Africa, emphasised

that they must not be too dogmatic on exotic trees. It was probable that they would introduce pests with exotics. Mr E. Tavitz, Deputy-Minister of Forests for Ontario, Canada, urged care in the selection of seed. Dr L. Cockayne (New Zealand) wanted a survey made of the New Zealand forests by qualified scientists and foresters. There should be proper breeding grounds where exotic trees could be studied.