HOUSE DISCUSSES AFFORESTATION

Northern Advocate, 27 November 1937, Page 15

HOUSE DISCUSSES AFFORESTATION

l Per Press Association. Copyright.] . WELLINGTON, This Day.

Yesterday afternoon in the House of Representatives was devoted to consideration of papers discussing the annual report of the Director of Forestry.

The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (Opposition—Hurunui) stated it was our duty to make provision for trees for timber purposes for future generations. We were using up the timber of the country today, and it was not right that the country should be deprived cf forests for the future.

Mr A. F. Moncur (Government— Rotorua) outlined reafforestation work in the Rotorua district and stressed the fact that nothing could live where pinus insigrrus was. planted, but that the reverse was true in the case of Douglas fir.

Mr J. Hargest (/Opposition—Awarua) advocated that the State should plant some of the leasehold station lands in high country- Such work would enhance the value of the stations themselves, and also provide a national asset for the future. Research Urged.

Mr T, H. McCombs (Government— Lyttelton) congratulated the department on the work It was doing In the planting of native trees. Exotic trees wore not altogether the right type for planting in New Zealand, although they had certain uses and their value should not be overlooked. He appealed to the Minister to appoint an. expert to conduct research work into attacks by such insects as borer on limbers.

The Minister-in-Chtarge of Ihe State Forest Service, the Hon. F. Langslcne, said the Government had done everything it could to assist the Southland beech industry. It had even made an offer to have the timber made into butterboxes, but the offer had been turned do\lm. Progressive Policy. There was no better timber for inside work or fbr furniture than Southland silver beech. His department/had a very progressive policy and the Minister himself was quite prepared to work in with members where suitable 'areas could bo purchased at the right prices. He could assure them they would be taken over and planted. On the motion for the adjournment at 4 p.m., the Prime Minister intimated that the business before the House on Monday would be consideration of the Public Works Statement and Estimates.