GOING TOO FAR

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12037, 15 January 1925, Page 6

GOING TOO FAR

NEAR T 9 STATE SOCIALISM

FOREST SERVICE AND THE NURSERY INDUSTRY. MR EXJJS NOT TO BE DRAWN, Among those present at the opening of the nurseymen’s conference in Wellington yesterday was Mr Mclntosh Ellis, director of the State Forest -Service, and when the visitors were asked to speak he also was asked if he would like to make any observations. The annual report, however, including reference to the activities of the State Forest Servioe in competition with the nurserymen, to which the association is opposed, had not been discussed, and Mr Ellis declined to he drawn, into making any statement yesterday, preferring to reserve his remarks until the subject is under dis-’ cussion. TO KILL SOCIALISM. Replying briefly to an'invitation to say a few words at the conference, Mr A. Harper, president of the New Zealand Welfare League, said he had seen part of the report, and he felt that they were getting near to State Socialism,, and one of their aiins was to kill Sooialism, There was a tendency on the part <rf the State to go too far in that direction. He hoped the. association woufd be successful in coming ,to some understanding with the State Forest Department, which he considered was unfairly^competing with them in many directions. CIVIC LEAGUE IDEAS. Mr' D.' McLaren, secretary, of the Civic League, said he represented the' great .uneducated mass of people in the country who were hindered for want of education, and who wanted to see the hills properly clothed, the Valleys beautified and everything that was refined in a national way as they went about theV country. There was no heed' for tfie State, municipalities and private traders to entrench upon each other, and the State had” plenty to do without interfering with the business of the nurserymen of the Dominion. There was a- big demand for afforestation, qnd: he regretted that there .was one branch of culture which was dying'ont, hat which he hoped would be revived. At one time they had -a national holiday called Arbour' Day, and the Civic League., was trying to. resuscitate.'it. The work of tree planting and growing. required constant stimulus and education, . and* he was g]ad such work had the support of the chairman of the reserves committee, Councillor W-, J. Thompson., • : :