FORESTRY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XV, Issue 202, 25 November 1925, Page 3

FORESTRY.

A KEY INDUSTRY. AND A SHORTAGE. “Forestry is a key industry,” asserted Professor Corbin, of the Auckland University, in hi.s address to members of the Rotary Club on Monday, “for the products of the foirest are as essential as wool, wheat, water :or air.” As a subject for discourse, proceeded the speaker, it was only possible in the short time at his disposal to deal cursorily with the more obvious facts. The most striking was that there was a definite shortage of forest products, and this was a matter of concern to the community as a whole. A timeber shortage was not felt simply by those who wished to build houses, but was reflected throughout most industries.

It was estimated that the world’s supply of timber would last another 20 or 30 years. So far as New Zealand was concerned, it was not a matter of the future; the shortage was with us now, for our importations last year were, it is said, valued at £1,315,763, while the value of our own timber used was said to be £3,182,999. Sources of timber supply in New Zealand were twofold. First was that available from natural forest. This presented many problems, and it was not possible at present to determine even approximate, ly the possible quantities derivable from this source in continuity. Secondly came planted forests. There were, it is reported, from 60.000 to 70,000 acres planted in the Dominion, of which 40,000 were in the vicinity of Rotorua. Those areas must be largely increased if the necessary timber supply was to be obtained, and the responsibility was one that belonged to the community as a whole. The ultimate aim in all forestry work was efficiency at every point, in order to supplv cheap timber. In this respect the speaker paid a high tribute to the work that had been done at demonstration areas at Waiotapu and Rotorua. Reverting to the question of increased planting areas. Professor Corbin said he had been immensely attracted by the possibilities of the pumice country. Here were millions of acres whose present productivity was nil that could used m tree production. Already some of the best soft-wood trees were growing on this class of land, apparently quite satisfactorily. In promoting forest building, they should, wherever possible,” cooperate with the modern industry of hydyo-electric power utilisation, lor water power and the timber industry were natural partners, that should be used co-operatively to man’s advantage.

Touching upon university work, the professor said its aim was’to facilitate by every means the development of forestry. The Department was expected to train men who would be well balanced in the science and practice of forestry. It would also accumulate data, which would be put into useful form for educational work amongst foresters, farmers, public schools and other bodies. It would also investigate problems of the forests, and, if possible, make useful discoveries. The University must keep in touch with the hard facts of the fqrest and the associated industries. It could not. how ever, be expected to function adequately to one man and within the four walls of a building. The University forest department, would need expansion, and the assistance of experts. It would ncedf funds and the moral support of the community. Already the Department had been allocated quarters in the new University building, and ha expected almost immediately to have an opportunity to exhibit the various products of the forest, both elaborated and in the crude. He hoped to obtain a collection that would assist materially in forestry education.