MR. VOGEL’S FOREST BILL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4201, 7 September 1874, Page 3

MR. VOGEL’S FOREST BILL.

(From the Melbourne Argus, August 20.1 Whatever opinion some people may entertain concerning the discretion of some of Mr. Vogel’s proceedings, no one will deny the vigor of his action or the boldness of his plans. ■For years past wo in this Colony have been maundering over the necessity of making provision for the conservation of our State forests, but beyond spending a few hundred pounds in picnics—euphoniously termed visits of inspection and putting up a few gates here and there, for no possible purpose eicept to make carters and splitters go round a few yards and imperil their souls by fancy swearing, we have done nothing. The whole thing, from beginning to end, lias been a gigantic farce, in which Mr. Casey of late years has played the principal part. With Mr. Vogel, however, it is different. He recognises the necessity of promoting the growth of timber in the land he governs, and instead of wasting his energies over endless discussions as to what is to bo done, and indulging in glowing visions of what may bo effected at that remote and indefinite period known as “one day” if “something turns "up,”, ho at once boldly grapples with the question and in a manner and on a scale commensurate with its importance. The hon. gentleman was for afforesting three per cent, of the entire waste lands of the Colony, and appropriating £40,000 per annum for carrying out the scheme. This was dealing with the matter in a comprehensive way. Ho has, however, been compelled by the force of circumstances to moderate his proposals. The

Provincial Governments do not appi'ove of the proposal to “take” the land, and Mr. Vogel has had to be content with an arrangement rendering it “ optional with the Provinces to present the General Government with portions of their waste laxxds for forest purposes.” Under these circumstances, the .annual expenditure has been reduced to £IO,OOO. The Bill has passed its second reading, and has a good chance of becoming law. Without pretending to say whether Mr. Vogel’s plan or the amended scheme is the better-, or whether either of them is the best that could be hit upon for the country, we cannot help being struck with the businesslike and comprehensive manner in which the subject has been handled.