THE WHITE PINE QUESTION

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4316, 27 March 1901, Page 3

THE WHITE PINE QUESTION

WASTE OF FORESTS AND TIMBER. TO THE EDITOK. Sir, —I am very glad to sete that the above question has been brought prominently before the public. When the deputation representing the North Island Main Trunk Railway League waited on rue Premier some months ago, the question of the destruction of the forests along the proposed route was referred to by myself. I then quoted from the Government reports on the subject, especially that by Mr Murray, wherein that official stated that, “on account of the tenure under which the settlers were holding the land numerous tracts of white pine and other timbers were being ruthlessly and wastefully destroyed, not only causing the loss of wealth tq the country as a whole, but a loss, of revenue to the projected line of railway.” There were calculations in the various reports furnished to the Government showing that the profits on the carriage of the timber, if the line were completed at an early date), would more than repay the cost of the construction of the lineIt is a matter for surprise that the reports of the Government officials have not carried more weight, bearing out, as they have, similar reports from experienced sawmillers who are anxious to get into the country along the proposed route as soon as there are means of bringing the timber to market. I trust, now that the question of the supply of this timber has been ventilated through the columns of the “Times, that you will not lab the subject rest till the responsible authorities have recegnisdd the necessity of moving in the matter.—Yours, etc., D. J- NATHAN, Chairman North Island Main Trunk Railway League.