FORESTRY IN N.Z.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10726, 25 October 1928, Page 5

FORESTRY IN N.Z.

COMMITTEE'S RECOMEMNRATIONS FEW TIMBERS SUITABLE FOR ENGLISH MARKET (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct 24. Tlie committee set up by the i/m----pire Forestry Conference in its report recommends that steps be alien as rapidly as possible as circumsances will permit to complete the process of preservation of indigenous forests where needed to prevent erosion where they have scenic value. Such areas should be under the administration of the State Forests Service for economy and efficient management. With regard, to timber forests, the question to be decided is the possibility of regenerating. native trees, or whether exotics will prove of greater economic value. The policy of nlanting exotics on pumice lands is wholly approved. The plantations requires thinning, work which should be done at least every years. Hie staff of the Forestry Department iis considered too small for the present needs, and in view of the programme facing the department. an increase is desirable, with salaries to attract the right type of men. ... The committee’s report dealing with the market of New Zealand timbers states: “There are very few timbere suitable- for tfie English market,” says the report, “and no doubt in the near future the Dominions will require all their home grown woods.” ' For kauri is it suggested there will still-be' a limited demand where laroe sizes of clean wood are required In spite of the greatly increased cost. •‘RJmu”. says the report, was introduced on the English market many years ago, but was not favorably received owing to other woods of a similar character being sold at a much lower price. This wood should be kept in the Dominion, and nob exported, as New Zealand will require all that can be produced for furniture and the interior fittings of houses. •Samples of beech woods were sent to the, Imperial Institute a tew years ago, and reported on, but owing to the price being so much above the English beech no market could bo found. However, both of these are useful woods, and may find a market in England for special purposes such as motor car bodies, etc. If every effort is made to produce as much clean timber as possible, suitable for joinery work, pines radiata will meet with great success, the knots being mostly sound. An ample supply of flooring boards can be produced to replace the imports of Scots pine from Europe. One feature against the exporting of New Zealand woods to the English market is the very high freight of 12s per 100 super feet, which until recently was 15s.