"MILLIONS OF MONEY."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18356, 23 March 1923, Page 10

"MILLIONS OF MONEY."

DOMINION'S FORESTRY WORK

GREAT POTENTIAL WEALTH.

QUEENSLANDER'S PRAISE.

The work of the New Zealand' State Forest Service, as demonstrated by the flourishing condition of the (plantations extending from Rotorua to Waiotapu, was commented upon in very complimentary terms yesterday by Mr. G. Brown, sawmiller and timber merchant of Brisbane, who visited the district in question last week. Mr. Brown had visited these areas about eleven years ago and ho was much impressed by the progress in the growth "oI the tiroes and the size of the plantations since that time. "In driving from Waiotapu to Rotorua," said Mr. Brown, " one cannot help being struck by the splendid growth of the timber, and also by the small number of trees planted that have failed to grow and thrive. There are j no such plantations anywhere in Australia. If your Government continues to prosecute this important work with the same energy and apparent enthusiasm, New Zealand ers will have no occasion to worry about their national debt, for in fifty years' time these new forests will be worth many millions of money. At present, of course, a large portion of these plantations are not easy of access, commercially speaking, but by the time they have matured, no doubt there will be a railway. Your Government is doing the work thoroughly, there is no doubt about it, and its officers are to be complimented upon the result of their labours. In Queensland we have a forest service and capable, enthusiastic officers, but our Government does not give them the same encouragement that the officers here appear to receive. The great work of afforestation does not appeal to all politicians. There are no votes behind it." In referring to the growth of the trees since his previous visit, Mr. Brown remarked that the larches seemed to have made the least progress. The other trees had made immense growth, and to him, as an Australian, the great quantity of wood that was being m?de by the eucalyptus trees was most noticeable— fact he believed they were making more rapid growth than they made in Australia. "I am taking back to Brisbane some of the leaves," he said, "to show our forestry people how the trees grow here. If yon keep on in New Zealand as you are going and plant, say, five or six thousand acres with your present selection of trees every year, posterity will thank you for It."