FOREST RESERVES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16508, 25 March 1914, Page 10

FOREST RESERVES.

STARTLING REDUCTIONS. LARGE AREAS THROWN OPEi\ T . Speaking to a reporter last night Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., expressed very grave concern for the preservation of New Zealand natural forest.and scenic reserves. The present Administration, lie said, was lifting the reservation from large areas and throwing the land into the market. While he favoured a policy of land settlement he contended that there was other land availab'e, land probably better suited for settlement purposes than were the forest and scenic reserves of the dominion. During the last session of Parliament, I\!r Ell added, a return was asked for by Mr J. A. Hanan showing the area of scenic or forest reserves and of reserves for the growth and production of timber, set aside by previous Governments, which had been thrown open, or were about to be thrown open for settlement. 'The return, C 1 J. 1913, showed that between August 1, 1912, and September 5, 1913, the reservations on the following areas were removed : Acres. Auckland 17,159 Hawko'o Bay .... 352 Tarannki 6,518 Wellington .... 17,225 Kelson 4,430 Marlborough .... 7,135 Southland 3,130 Total 55,949