The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1928. THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1928. THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

In the very immediate future there must be a new Minister in charge of State Forests. Whether there he a change of Government or not, there must be another appoinament to tho charge of tho portfolio, because Mr Hawken is one of the considerable number of former members not returned to Parliament. The new appointee will have before him the advice and reports resulting from the Empire Forestry visit so' lately carried out. The delegates toured the Dominion at a great speed, but nevertheless were able to form certain opinions in the light of their own knowledge and experience which would enable them to tender advice of an expert character. If we judge the future by the possibilities of the visit, referred to, we should be Inclined to think the results and influence

of the Conference reports should be of benefit to the forestry of New Zealand., The Government needs definite information as to whether the policy of the past has been on the right lines. If stock were taken of the results in a practical form attendant on the very large expenditure which must have taken place, it would be interesting to know on which side of the ledger the balance is. There is, of course, more than one side to the work of the State Forest Department. The reafforestation work in this district for instance must be very disappointing. There must .have been an enormous outlay for negative results. Whether reafforestation here should he condemned on that account is another matter. It is for expert advice to determine whether the right class of exotics have been planted in the right kind of territory. The pines so much in favour do not at best seem to be of that quality to give the material economic value sought when the timber becomes of millable age. Also, something should be known now of the prospects regarding natural regeneration of native forest areas, and what could best be done to encourage more assistance in that direction. Tin’s side of the policy as far as it can be seen and understood, borders on failure— rstnk failure in some instances. The new Minister has a duty to review this side of the case, with the least possible delay. While it is essential to strive for afforestation and reafforestation to the fullest extent for the future benefit of the Dominion'.' whatever is attempted in that respect should he done with a seemly regard for the cost involved. It would appear from local observation that that regard for the cost has not been manifested, and the' country must he footing a big bill. Tt is probably in regard to the conservation of standing timber and its more economic use that the Forest Service has done its l>est work. In this regard though, more could be done, we believe if there were a more intimate relationship with the millers. The Bill pomoted last session dealing with the more efficient working of the timber trade, produced by the Sawmillers’ Federation, is certainly on the right lines as regards basic principles. f l no resources of the country as regards its supplies of timber really need comprehensive organisation, so that these will he better and proper utilisation of the product. Wo do not know that the Department has shown that desire for a hotter relationship with the sawmillers that it should. We have to remember that a great important industry has been developed by private enterprise and with wonderful results as regards employment and economical production. Where the .State has sought to emulate the private owner, it has failed, to the cost of the taxpayer, and the Forest Service in that respect has not won any honors. If appears to us that the new Minister from whatever party lie may ho drawn, could do work of great national value by approaching the subject as an entirely new broom. Our readers will

recall the antagonistic, not to say openly hostile, manner in which Sir Francis Bell met the millowners here. There was neither sympathy nor encouragement offered to the private enterprise involved. And the Minister's manner and demeanour have been reflected somewhat throligh his staff and by the officials controlling the service. The mill-owners have been regarded as something of enemies to the State for their enterprise in supplying a necessary commodity. We cannot recall any mill owners who have passed out of the business fabulously rich. On the contrary, many have failed, but the majority have and are struggling on doing their best by legitimate trading and production to provide employment and meet community requirements. We would say to the Minister to be that such people deserve at least sympathetic consideration. The State Forest Service has been long enough in the business now to know something of the inside responsibility and care to make a milling business pay its way and meet Regular, obligations. .The failure of the State sawmillers in that respect should have provided both the lesson and the information. In reaping the harvest from the forest then, it appears to u.s that the intimacy between the producing nillers and the Forest Service should he on ordered and intelligent lines so as to secure and to ensure the greatest possible results. 'J here is one oilier aspect ol the matter also of paramount importance, and that is in respect to scientific research. 'I his modern aid to material development is engaging the attention of the Department but so many things are possible with the more effective utilisation of the forest wealth, that more and more attention should be given to the scientific side of forest utilisation. In particular, the information and advice in regard to possibilites of wood pulping should he taken up with greater spirit, and capital encouraged to launch out in that undertaking. There is a market in New Zealand for newspaper if tho the commodity can he produced at tho right price, and that market is of immediate value once the goods are ready for delivery. So there will ho work and variety of work for the new Minister in charge of the State Forests, and the sooner the honourable gentlemen to he gets into harness and into bis stride the better. I here is a fine field for splendid work and material progress lor the benefit of the country in the proper and effective discharge of the portfolio referred to.