Tree Planting On Unoccupied Lands

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 65, 18 March 1937, Page 12

Tree Planting On Unoccupied Lands

GOVERNMENT ACTION SOUGHT TAURANGA, March 15. A petition urging the afforestation of unoccupied lands in the Tauranga district was presented by Mr C. 11. Burnett, M.P., to the Minister of Lauds, Hon. F. Langstone. The petition, which was signed by the Borough Council, County Council, Harbour Board, Electric Power Board and Chamber of Commerce, stated that the whole of the members of tho local bodies in the county of Tauranga were unanimous that the time was overdue when steps should be taken to overcome serious effects of the deforestation of the county, the erosion of top soils, the effect on the water and hydro-electric supplies, and particularly the spread of ragwort, which was yearly becoming more serious. They asked that the Government should immediately conside* the advisability of undertaking, in collaboration with local bodies, tho afforestation of unoccupied lands in the county, and that various areas proposed to be dealt with should be first classified, and only those not usable as agricultural lands should be afforested. Mr Langstone, in replying, referred to the harmful effects that had resulted from deforestation in the Dominion. It was impossible for the State to give high prices for land for afforestation purposes. The afforestation of lands in New Zealand would, under a sound system of planting, provide employment for many men and this work could be carried on in conjunction with employment of men in seasonal work on farms. A fairly large area could be considered, but small areas wero for local bodies. To-day the State had over 100 men employed on forest work. He would discuss the scheme with his officers and tho Labour Department.