STATE FORESTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 9 April 1930, Page 6

STATE FORESTS

WHAT IS BEING DONE

SPEECH BY HON. W. B TAVEUNER

The IToi!. W. B. Tavernor, Cummtssioncr of Stale Forests., who opened the annual conference of executive officers yesterday afternoon made sonic interesting statements concerning the activities of his Department. After apologising for delaying the opening proceedings owing to his late arrival from Picton, he said that since the last conference he had endeavoured as far as his other official duties permitted to widen and extend his forestry knowledge, and to that end had visited all the more important forestry operations from tho North Cape to the Bluff, and could now claim to have acquired a good working knowledge of all the major field activities without which it would not be possible for him to adequately weigii up and intelligently consider the many varied matters which the Director placed before him from time to time. The Miiister cc.irtimicd: —"I und-.T-stand that it is the departmental custom to vary the meeting place of tho annual conference and every second or third, year to meet in one or other of tho forestry regions so that officers from other places may have an opportunity to see for themselves the methods and practices in use in those districts. I certainly think that this is an excellent idea. This is the first year the conference has been held in Nelson, and for several reasons the choice is a happy one. Sawmilling in. this province dates back to the, very early days, and it seems to me that with the removal of the great bulk of its milling timber Nelson has entered upon its second phase of forestry history, the replacement of the indigenous softwood forests with exotic plantations, and to you as foresters this changing of the old order must be very interesting indeed. I have noticed in my travels through Ne'son and its sister province, Marlborough, the presence of many valuable and interesting specimens of exotic trees evidently planted by .the pioneer settlers. These trees have attained remarkable growth, and must be of great interest to you besides showing that.the soil hero is well suited - for afforestation.

THE CAWTHRON INSTITUTE "Still another reason is the presence here of the Cawthron Institute with its Forest Biological Research Station under the control of Dr. David Miller, well known to you ail. I am glad that we are to have an opportunity to visit the Institute as we shall see there the great work that is being carried on to combat ■the numerous insects which attack not only trees in all their stages of growth, but sawn timber as well. This work I •regard as of national importance and it inust eventually result in a great benefit to the Dominion. I understand also that the Institute is engaged oji the very important work of soil surveys, and already it is known that a belt of very unfertile soil so far as general farming is concerned exists from the Upper Motupiko Talley to the .Moutere. Although this land is unsuited for farming, it is well suited for afforestation and it is in this district that we have already established a State plantation which I hope to considerably extend if it is possible to secure additional planting land of the quality to which I have alluded. . '''l notice that the two main items for discussion on your agenda paper are the Management of Native and Exotic Forests respectively. I regard these two subjects as of paramount importance as it is our bounden duty to learn all we can aho'ut our indigenous forests so bountifully bequeathed to us by nature ,and to devise ways and means at all practicable, to conserve, safeguard and regenerate pur remaining forest resources. In this connection I am inform'ed that steps are in active , train to secure ,-a complete inventory or stocktaking of /the indigenous forests, to ascertain as accurately as possible the fullest details with respect to the various ciasses of the remaining timber lands —whether climatic and protection forests, or millable forests. This, of course, is a business procedure without which it would be impossible to formulate definite working plans.

DEPLETION OF MILLING FORESTS

"As you are aware,.the depletion of our native milling iorests- cannot be very long delayed and the planting of exotic species suitable for timber production in localities where such species can make the best growth is very necessary. Many" errors were made in the experimental stages of State tree planting, and to-day it is to you that the country looks to "see that such errors are not repeated and that afforestation is now proceeding in the soundest and most scientific line possible. For this reason alone such a wide discussion as will ensue on the numerous papers to be presented to the, conference cannot fail to assist very greatly in the solution of the many problems with winch you are confronted. "I am pleased to note that your agenda paper deals with the question of thinnings, which is on?, of the major problems in our older plantations. You will recollect that this point was specially stressed by-the Empire Forestry Conference when it visited New Zealand two years ago. I am aware, of course, that curative methods are an expensive undertaking and they are rendered more so oy the almost insuperable difficulty at present of finding a market for the thinnings, and apparently no early solution of the problem is in sight. The establishment of a wood pulp industry in New Zealand would, however, go far towards absorbing this forest product. "You all know that last year a start was made with the thinning and underscrubbing of some of the plantations, and I am now able to announce that nearly 20,000 acres of exotic plantations have been dealt with in this manner, and I hope it may be possible to continues certain degree of thinning during the coming year. "In accordance with the policy of llio Government to engage as little as possible in business competition with private commercial interests, it has been decided to considerably curtail sales of trees to the public. I believe that this important work can now be very well handled by private nurserymen, and the State will' no longer cater for this business but will, of course, continue to raise its own nursery stock as heretofore. The papers to be presented to you cover a wide range of subjects.

PROTECTION OF FORESTS "I am pleased to sec that the important question of protection of forests is to be dealt with by Mr McOavock. As an observer with some knowledge ol

forestry I have seen in many places the dire results which have followed the wanton destruction of the native hush which so abundantly clot lied our hills. Jily hometown. (Duncdiu) has suffered seriously as a result of unscientific and careless' denudation. I have been interested to note also the effect on the light soils of the north, where thousands of acres have been rendered non-produc-tive, as well as constituting in many cases a distinct menace to those in the valleys. Too much importance cannot be attached to this subject. "Related to this subject is the question of maintaining a. correct balance of life in our native hush. When we reflect that our unique and enchanting indigenous forests were reduced as tho result of a long period of undisturbed balance, both vegetable and animal, and when we realise that so much of man's activity during the short pqriod of settlement has alarmingly affected those balanced conditions, it should bo plain to everyone that only immediate and drastic action can preserve the remnant of our bush, let alone any attempt towards orderly regeneration. The aspect of affairs will doubtless he fully discussed in connection, with the paper by Mr C. M. Smith on "Wild Life." I hope this year to introduce legislation designed to' help in this direction. "Another interesting question is down for introduction by Mr Biggs, that of 'Bleeding Experiments' for eleoresin. I am watching these developments with interest, as there appears justification for believing that an important branch of forest industry may soon he added to the Department's activities. New Zealand imports annually some £20,000 worth of turpentine and about £IO,OOO worth of mineral oils used as substitutes. Probably we shall 'find that we can presently supply the demand ourselves. " 'Local Seed Collection', to he dealt with by the Chief Inspector, is also an important subject, and if as a result of your deliberations it is desired to further encourage local seed collection, that will also help industrially.

TRIBUTE TO OFFICERS "As you are aware I have just concluded my first year of administrative control of the Service, and I wish to take this opportunity of saying to you that I have found a very high standard set by the Service generally, and I have experienced a great amount of pleasure in my association with you, and I hope on my own part, not without benefit to tho country. "There are many other matters I could touch on, such as the question of sand. dune reclamation; the damage to the indigenous forests and exotic plantations caused by deer and pigs; the introduction of new opossum stock into suitable forests; the finding of uses and markets for our lesser used timbers; the extraction of gum, wood oils, resin, etc.; the great necessity for continual vigilance during the summer months to prevent fire from entering on exotic plantations and native forests, and so on; but as you have a full and difficult programme before you I will conclude these remarks by again assuring you how much I appreciate being with you to-day and expressing the hope that this conference will, from every point of view, beHhe most successful in the history of the Forest Service."

The Minister was warmly applauded on resuming his seat.

OTHER SPEAKERS Mr J. Corder, chairman of the Waimea County Council, in response to the chairman briefly spoke. He congratulated the Department upon the good work being done in the Nelson district, and also on the way some of the returned soldiers were being assisted by taking over their land and using it for afforestation purposes. But he, hoped that no land capable of producing would be taken. over for such purposes. Mr Corder said the Council had a small plantation on the Rabbit Island, and in

(his connnection the assistance given by (lie Department was much appreciated, lie hoped the results of the conference would he to the benefit of New Zealand as a, whole. In reply, the Minister said he had intended to refer to the mat'er mentioned by Mr Corder, hut had overlooked it. The position was safeguarded in thai any areas which were at present being held as provisional Staic i'oiesU vvnidi proved on examination to he suitable for either more productive uses and which was not required for extensions of protection bells, were released hack to the Lands Department 'or settlement purposes. Last year about 7,000 acres were so released and the process was still going on. As to new areas, these wore-.submitted to the Agriculture Department, which had to satisfy him that it was below a certain, standard for productive purposes beiore negotiations for its purchase were concluded. 01 course the Department could not put hack into production land already plant ed. Mr Moffatt (Mayor of Nelson) said the work of the Department was greatly appreciated, especially in regard to tho unemployment in Nelson some time ago, when the Department took over a let of unemployed. There was a general idea that all land was planted with pinus insignus, but he took it that the officers of tho Department had other ideas on the subject. The Mayor quoted an incident which came under his personal notice in Motueki many vears ago showing tho foresight of a Maori long before afforestation was thought of. A piece of land was put up for auction, for which the native made a bid, but was not successful. When approached by the speaker, the would-be purchaser said that he wanted the land on which to plant trees. Mr Moffatt concluded by expressing the hope that the conference's deliberations would prove of benefit to the whole of the Dominion. When lie looked round at the delegates, he was sure the Department was in good hands.

Mr Turner, tho Director of State Forests, referring to MrAfoffatt's remarks concerning pinus insignus, said other varieties of trees wore also being planted. Ho gave an assurance that tho method now adopted in. planting pinus insignis would result in a much superior timber.

Mr A. Could, president of the Nelson Provincial Progress League, said he could only repeat his remarks made at the civic reception earlier in the day that the League was endeavouring to help along anything appertaining to the good of the province and the Dominion. He assured the conference that any representations made to the League for developing its work in Nelson would receive support. Mr L. Baigent, representing the Nelson Sawmillers' Association, remarked that although in the past the Association had not seen eye to eye with the Department, it was now quite satisfied that it was being administered on the right lines'. His association would do its best to co-operate with the Department. , . . Mr A. Waters, Commissioner ot Crown Lands, Nelson, also extended a welcome to the delegates. Mr Waters mentioned that quite a number of the officers of the State Forest Service were drawn from the Lands Department. He went on to say that the main consideration regarding the acquirement of tho Golden Downs estate was what population it could carry; and he was satisfied that planted in trees it would give more employment than if used for other purposes. The locality was not far from

the railway or a deep sea port. He was satisfied That in the long run tho Waimea County Council and the district generally would benefit. Mr Turner referred to the fact that (he Department was working in cooperation with the Cawthron Institute along certain lines, and he asked Mr Moffatt, as chairman of the Trust Hoard, to say something concerning tho Institute.

Mr Moffatt. then gave a brief outline of the format ion of the Institute and to tin? reconstitulion of the Board a few years ago by Act of Parliament. This provided for three Government nominees, and ho trusted tho Minister would remember this aspect of tho matter if ho had any surplus money to dispose of. The public pari of tin* proceedings then terminated. The conference will conclude on Thursday.