TIMBER RESOURCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19234, 26 July 1924, Page 8

TIMBER RESOURCES

The deputation from the National Dairy Association which brought under th*c- notice of Sir Francis Bell, Acting Commissioner of' State Forests, the necessity for the conservation of timber in Now Zealand received the sympathetic reply which its representations merited. The position in regard to the resources of the country in white pine is the more unsatisfactory because while the requirements of the dairy industry in respect of this useful timber are increasing, the considerable exportation is accelerating the pace at which the supply is being depleted. A strong argument may, therefore, be presented in favour of a cessation of exportation. The Government has apparently taken the view, however, that as long as there are large areas upon which the settlers can cut and burn off white pine to their hearts’ content, it is not necessary to consider the danger that may be associated with exportation. Sir Francis Bell’s statements suggest that it is to the advance of settlement that a depletion of the supplies of white pine is due, and against this process of wastage he sees no apparent remedy. The Minis-*

ter’s reply can hardly be regarded as satisfactory. Afforestation on the one hand and a sheer wastage of timber resources on the other constitute a most unhappy conjunction. Other countries are placing a great value upon their timber resources, and past prodigality in the destruction of forests in Now Zealand has led to results which point plainly for the need of a policy of conservation. Kauri was lavishly exported in the past. It is now almost unobtainable. Great Britain laments the fact that she has per head of population less forest land than any country in Europe, and that she has to obtain 95 per cent, of her timber supplies from abroad at a cost of £100,000,000 a year. For the position of the Old Country there may be a sufficient excuse. There can, however, bo no excuse in present circumstances for a wastage of timber resources in New Zealand.