Future Of Waipoua

Northern Advocate, 11 January 1947, Page 3

Future Of Waipoua

Ministerial Policy

1 1 F'.A.) WELLINGTON. This Day. j Portion of the Waipoua Kauri forest j was to be left undisturbed with the ! exception ot the removal of dead or I dying trees. j In making known the proposals conkerning the future of the forest, the Commissioner of State Forests (Mr. Skinner) said that much of the criticism had come from persons who had never seen Waipoua, or who had no knowledge of the kauri and its habits.

On the other hand, the State Forest Service, in framing its policy, had been guided by its experience with and observation of the kauri. The policy was not based on guesswork, but on facts gathered over a long period.

Mr. Skinner said that under the : present arrangement portion of the ( forest was to be left undisturbed, except for the removal of dead or dying trees. ADJOINING STATE HIGHWAY | In the opinion of the New Zealand Institute of Foresters, an independent | professional body, the removal of this I dead and dying timber would create j more favourable conditions for the regeneration of kauri, and was in accord with fundamental and universally accepted principles. | The area to be reserved would be ro [selected as to adjoin the Stale hig'hj way, thus preserving the scenic value ot the forest. The balance of the forest I was to be worked under a long-term | plan, providing for the removal of 'mature trees. The growth of young kauri and other species would be encouraged and in this way the forest should yield timber in regular quantities for all time. This followed the precedent set in many of the historically famous forests ot Europe, where the applications of the principles of forest management had resulted in an increase in the yield of timber. Mr. Skinner said lie had been impressed with the manner in which the problem of limber production and conservation had been tackled by the Forest Service and its keenness to preserve for ever flic country's native timber. ON SOUND PRINCIPLES He would not have concurred in the policy adopted for Waipoua had he not felt sure that it was based on sound principles. Deputations from all over the country had waited on him from time to time requesting an increase in the production of kauri and the loosening of controls. In spite of the fact' that timber was required for purposes for which kauri had always been regarded as a virtual necessity, such as boat building and the making of churns and vats, he had consistently refused to recommend the Government to deviate from its present poiicy of kauri preservation. He shared in the pride with which the kauri forest was held throughout the country. He would do everything in his power to see that the kauri and other native forests were not only protected. but also extended.