THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FORESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9328, 11 October 1893, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FORESTS.

TO THE, EDITOR. Sir, — notice in Mr. Seddon's speech that the Government had tendered unsuccessfully for 70,000 sleepers in Wellington and Auckland. This must not be taken as proof that millions of feet of good timber are not destroyed every year, or that thousands of good men are not wanting work ; but it is convincing proof of the necessity of the bush being opened up and made available, in place of being consigned to ruthless destruction. Before the end can be attained the means must be provided. The manager of a great estate should first provide access to the bush, before calling for tenders for necessary timber. It is vain, and a waste of public money, to call for tenders, or expect struggling settlers to supply railway sleepers over tracks

where they can barely swag their tucker. If the Government is to hold the freehold of the land, single-taxers must be prepared to act w|th common sense, and lay down roads and tramways, and maKe it possible the bash and the land can be turned to profitable account, and it (the Government) must recognise its responsibilities. What would be thought of a man standing on the top of St. Paul's and asking the people in the Strand to hand him a pinch of snuff 2 or to make them pay toll in the shape of taxes and rents, with roads unfit for use ? Or, is it reasonable to ask men to make bricks without st»aw ? Or, is it possible to get into a washing-tub and lift yourself up by the handles ? These things look easy to single-taxer3, but unfortunately they will not work.—l am, etc., T,M. Glen Murray, 3rd October, 1893. P.S.—The hinau is not included in the list for railway sleepers, and perhaps it is the most lasting timber in any country, as trees of the black hinau, which may, from the way they are overgrown with vegetation, have lain in the bush for 60 years, are as sound and hard in the heart as ebony or lignum vitas. And the kowhai I have proved more lasting than brass for bushes for machinery. The way the bush is being destroyed is abusing the gifts of Providence. I see a native has just finished a canoe measuring 50 feet long and 4 feet wide, to carry three tons ; but where will such trees be got in fifty years ?