THE PLANTING OF TREES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19417, 27 August 1926, Page 10

THE PLANTING OF TREES.

A notable achievement in tree-1 planting for the season 1925-26 is described by the Director .of Forestry. When operations for this year end, the State Forest Service expects to have planted between 17,000 and 20,000 acres. When the activities of other organisations are counted, too, it is' estimated that some 60,000 to 70,000 acres of land will have been made into commercial forest. Whatever else may be felt about these operations, One thing is perfectly certain; there is no danger of over-production of timber. It is true that New Zealand is hearing complaints at present about imported timber depressing the market for the native product. That is a position which is not likely to last. Expert opinion everywhere agrees in predicting a world-wide shortage of forest products within a reasonably short space of time. It is not based on guesswork. Existent resources have been fairly accurately surveyed. Balanced against the rate of consumption, they leave no •doubt of the ultimate result. When present exporting countries near the end of their resources, when supplies are cut off, as they will be. New Zealand, forced "to be self-reliant, will need more supplies than the present stands of native timber oan yield. Hence the benefit of planting. It is indeed a wonderful record. The United States, with' its huge area and population, plants "7000 acres a year under Federal authority. There is State activity as well, but it is not comprehensive. New Zealand need have no fear of doing too much. Mr. Ellis says there are still about 5,000,000 acres in the Dominion suitable for planting. It is to be hoped the work he has so largely planned and inspired will continue on these areas. The scheme proposed by the Minister of Public Works to make tree-planting the accepted relief work for seasonable unemployment might well be developed, so that the good results achieved this planting season may be repeated in future years; to bring immediate help to the unemployed, and ultimate benefit to the whole community,