THE EMPIRE'S FORESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 14

THE EMPIRE'S FORESTS.

DELEGATES AT ROTORUA. Inspection of plantations. LESSONS FROM NEW ZEALAND, |'UY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.J ROTORUA. Wednesday

A civic reception was tendered last evening to the British Empire Forestry delegates, who are visiting Rotorua. The Mayoi Mi J. N. McLean, welcomed the party He said he thought that nowhere ip I lie Dominion would t hey see more of afforeMratior than in Rotorua. There had l>eer concern expressed throughout the world thai more trees were being cut thai wort being planted. That was not so in N'cv. Zealand, especially in Uotorua. But what the people of Rotorua did think was that the land should not bo taken for afforest alio.) if it was suitable for agri culture.

Sii VVilbam Furze, who is representing tho Empne Marketing Board, said they had been delighted with what they had seen oi tlit wonderful forests, both natural and man-mado. New Zealand was able to give them many points. They were also charmed with the town of Rotorua. Thoir journey so far had been one of sunshine and pleasant surprises all the way.

Mr. P. Caverhill, a Canada delegate, referred to their surprise at finding such extensive torests in New Zealand. Ho said they were surprised also at the diversity of their character. Ho thought Vow Zeal.ind could give them points on tho question of adequate supplies and policy with regard to the export of hard and soft woods.

Referring to the remark of the Mayor that ho was concerned about land being taken foi forests that was suitable for agriculture, Mr. Caverhill said ho had known vinoyards to be turned into more profitable use as forests. A Maor concert was given in honour of the visitors later m tho evening, when the aged chief, Mita Taupopoki. welcomed the delegates. The party toured the district yester day, being conveyed in 16 motor-cars Stops wero made to inspect the various groups of exotic trees, and data was collected A new road was traversed, which passed through miles of Douglas firs, judged tu be remarkable for their eight years' growth The party lunched at tho control camp at Kaingaroa, where the methods employed by the department in planting seedlings were demonstrated.

To-dav was devoted to further sight seeing, when tho lakes and thermal won ders were visited.