NEW ZEALAND STATE FORESTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5316, 9 April 1878, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND STATE FORESTS.

I TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib, —I beg to offer you my thanks for the favorable notice you have taken of my pamphlet entitled "New Zealand State Forests,” in vour leading article of the 1 4th instant. Allow me to say that my idea of writing on that important matter had for inspiration the striking and forcible leader, in your issue of the 9th January last, on the same subject. You rightly observe that one object of my pamphlet is the suggestion of a financial scheme. It originated from the fact that the Government has not been able to carry into execution the objects of the “ New Zealand Forests Act, 1874 j ’ no special department for the management of the State forests and the enforcement of the forest law having as yet been practically organised. No doubt the reason which impeded in the case is to be ascribed to some financial motive, and it was with a view to obviate the difficulty that I suggested a combination or modus operandij from which ample means, immediate and future, could be obtained at the same time as securing the conservation and improvement of tue forests. Further, I suggested that some preliminary and indispensable forest operations could be made, at no expense to the Government, through the Survey Department. The Act recited admits of certain modes of working the forest obviously detrimental to its conservation J and moreover, the said Act, article 8, is ih direct opposition to the modus operandi I recommend (which might be the only safe and possible combination under actual circumstances). Therefore we must leave the question of the advisability of the repeal of such parts of the law as are not in accordance with the real welfare of the State forests to the consideration and patriotism of our representatives in Parliament. The pamphlet as a modus operandi recommends a lease for 99 years to a European company, &c. As to the question “ Where and how a company is to be found, the answer is this : When any financial or commercial project of the kind is presented with a stamp of such unquestionable honajides on the side of the lessor British Government); when, owing to the .{/articular circumstances of the case, an enormous profit can be afforded to the lessee, the lessor also finding great advantages through the combination ( modus operandi) j when it is known all over the world that timber forests under Government supervision are the best security for investment of capital; when such facts are duly established and well presented, —I say that the question of where, to find a company would soon be solved by practical men in Europe. It may be remarked that other than financial advantages should be derived from a European forest company operating here on a large scale. They would initiate the colonists into the modes of working the forest to the best advantage, and also their finding out and supplying the requirements of foreign markets would be valuable information here. Of course, a European company would bring here their own staff and bands, well trained to forest work. — I am, &c., Wellington, 6th April. A. Lecoy.