NEW ZEALAND FORESTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17895, 24 September 1921, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND FORESTRY.

New Zealand has been late .in framing a forestry policy and it is unfortunate that the Bill which is to be the charter of the department has come at a time of exceptional financial difficulty. All legislation calling for the appropriation of money must now be carefully examined, and forestry, important as it is for the future of the Dominion, cannot be given exceptional treatment. There is a danger at the outset of the zeal of the experts leading to excessive staffing. Possibly it is wise to have legislative power for the appointment of an assistant-director, but the urgency of such an appointment should be clearly proved before it is made. The Forestry Board, consisting of ten persons in addition to the departmental officials, looks formidable and would seem to be beyond present needs, but, fortunately, it is intended to be an honorary board. It will be the business of the House to see that the expenditure of the department is kept within reason•able limits, and it should be a condition of its existence that it must keep clear and separate accounts so that the country may know the exact cost of the provision it is making for future timber supplies. Taking a long view, there are few more promising investments open to New Zealand, but the department cannot escape the pressure of the times. Tt must begin cautiously, and spend judiciously and within restricted limits. Subject to a very necessary limitation upon the calls to be made on the Treasury, the Bill should present few difficulties to the House.