FORESTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 August 1928, Page 8

FORESTRY

RECORD STATE PLANTATIONS

PROGRAMME OP DEVELOPMENT

\VORK FO K I>AR'GE:NUMKEiII

Approximately 35,000' acres of neiy plantations iWcr'o! created "by the State Forest Service for the year ending 3lsl March' last, .creating ii fresh record and bringing the total area of State-Owned exotic forest •plantations to .133,997 acrcgi.' In addition, 2600 acres, were plant*! in forest last year by direct formation methods- - A comprehensive programme for 1928-29 is outlined in the annual report of the Director, presented to Parliament this week. . The report slates the afforestation of third-class and deteriorated lands that have been found useless for settlement is a forward step unci a means by which the waste lands, of the Dominion can be changed'from a State liability toa valuable revenue-producing asset. It is hoped in. time, by establishing local plantations, to secure for each province ' ; in the Dominion its own self-contained timber supply," says the report. Tt is considered some more wholesale method of dealing with animals destructive to forests is p'ecessary. •.„;;: ;',, During the .year the production .of sawn timber feil considerably lower than the amount' required to fill the normal demands of the industry, ' Owing to overproduction' during' the previous two years the mills still had large stocks on hand, and i a•'• further.: decrease in ■ products appears 'to be necessary during the current vqar to enable the, industry to resume it's normal operation. The export of sawn' timber for the year 1927 was the loiyest experienced, by tjhfi trade for over 30 years, white.pine being the main sufferer. Overstocking during previous years, a- poor dairy season, in Aus-. tralia and the serious competition of lower-priced' D'aitie 'ah'd North Afnericap."timbers bavo'all-coniqmcd'to, affect the white pine trade; The position M still serious, and with more than ample stocks in hand Australian buyers are not likely to increase their orders for some time. Itiinu continued to suffer from the' competition, of' North'. American and Baltic timbers, but beech was again exported' in record' quantities. The .revised afforestation,,.programme for 1928-29 provides for the establishment of at least 54,000 acres of new 'plantations and .the direct seeding formation of ah additional 13,000 acres. It is expected this will necessitate the employment, of approximately 1500 men a day during-the winter months. In co-operation with the Customs Department will bo taken.to issue amende "dTe'iuJafinns in respect t<\ the im'pbrfatipiV of timber In reduce to i mjnimum thepossibility nf'the introduction .of forest insect pests. Tho present' fri'e--liclitihg .meth'od's : '.and 'organisation will be"strengthened : and '.improved. ' The total area of State forests, provi;,ionaf; State forests, etc.. under the ser-Aiee;co'ntror-at'the'end of'thc year wn.| 7:7oß.4B9'acres, a'year's net increase of ;31,645 acres, as compared -with the proivious; year's' figures. _.,-_.. ,

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