The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, March 17, 1945. WEST COAST LANDS.

Grey River Argus, 17 March 1945, Page 4

The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, March 17, 1945. WEST COAST LANDS.

As the source of subsistence, the laud and its use, is the key to the future of any community. To that extent, in a general way, the representations made here to the Hon. C. F. Skinner in relation to his particular sphere of administration were inspired by a for-ward-looking and common sense attitude. With one exception, the Progress League, rested its case overmuch’ upon generalities. The reclamation of waste land, such as pakihis, for which an increase in the lime supply was prescribed; the clearing 01. other areas for dairy farming, in the main, presumably, by machinery; the promotion of more intensive dairy farming, the means for which were not specified; the establishment of forest nurseries; and the possibility of obtaining alcohol from wood, of which the Minister doubted the payability, wore the substance of the representations. Recent years have seen State enterprise certainly demonstrate that modern American machinery can do wonders in the clearing of land. Areas along this coast which have for decades remained studded with stumps could undoubtedly by this means be cleared —at a price. But the contention that the West Coast can be put on a par with Taranaki as a dairying area would appear to be taking for granted rather more'than has, so far, at least, any real warranty in actual experience. There is no doubt about the quality of the local produce, but, if it be assumed that the capacity to equal Taranaki is a matter yet to be ascertained b‘y experience, the question is upon whom rests the onus of making this test. Surely, it lies, not upon the State, but the enterprise of the community itself ? That 'Conclusion would seem justified by reference to the genesis of dairying in Taranaki. If there has indeed been there a clearing of land such as might remain here to be undertaken, the fact of the matter is that it was done by those engaged in the industry. Our dairying laud is much, more largely confined to valley or riverbank country than that of the open country of Taranaki. The utilisation of pakihi country, if possible, would largely extend our pastoral area, but it remains for that type of land yet to be successfully transformed in such a way. There, have been a good many experiments, and the results, to say the least, have not yet boon such as to guarantee ultimate success. Persistence is nevertheless dictated, considering the extent of the pakihis, and no damper should be placed on the efforts of those who are prepared to persevere with experimentation. It might- be said, however, that, in the past, the west coast of the North Island could compare no 'better than it does now with the west coast of this island as a reservoir for timber. That salient fact was pointed out by the Minister, who, at the same time indicated that the Lands Department has planned for years to come the clearing of land by the use of machinery. He will have observed that on the West Coast areas which once carried good forest and are now idle are precisely ones where the use of such machinery alone will serye to render the land really useful for pasture. The fact already has been illustrated in the Buller,!

where the results have been moresuccessful than those where pakihis have been tested for pastoral use. However, Mr. Skinner hit the nail on the head when he alluded to the wisdom of working to the utmost with nature, and to the regenerative capacity of our indigenous forest growth itself. The League advocated the establishment of forest nurseries, which might serve to test exotics, but which obviously are only secondary to Hie regeneration of our native trees them Selves, not in any hot-houhe fashion, but in tlheir normal habitat. In urging that nature should be given a ‘Chance, the Minister illustrated his recognition that if stands of timber are not spoiled when cut over, there is no need for nurseries in their regal'd. Lt' is only species not at home in this territory which would require artificial means to establish them —and, moreover, would require a repetition of the same artifices regularly to perpetuate them. Thus, where nature is not outraged, there is a more reliable timber crop than anywhere else, and one which, as the years pass, will certainly be at least as valuable, and probably far more valuable, than any other crop that could be substituted, whether in pasture or exotic timber. This need not, indeed, interfere at all with rehabilitation policy calculated to extend' and intensify pastoral cultivation. There is room for both. While this may be no Taranaki, the community ought to bear in mind the fact that New Zealand cannot in any other province show stands of timber comparable with those of the West Coast. The Minister will, therefore, be abundantly warranted in using his opportunity to foster the great potentialities of this territory as a permanent source of timber supply. It is not just a matter of making money. The worship of mere money has seen vast areas laid waste. Timber is wealth that is absolute, not relative—it is a necessity, such that, once its source is allowed to wilt, it cannot be replaced except at very great cost. Therefore among rehabilitation enterprises here, none should be so commendable as one which would put the forest first.