FORESTRY PROBLEMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20287, 21 December 1927, Page 10

FORESTRY PROBLEMS.

THE POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. LAGGING BEHIND THE DOMINION. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, December 20. In forestry matters generally Australia is not nearly so advanced as New Zealand, is, according to Professor H. Corbin (director of forestry at Auckland University College), who returned from a five weeks’ visit to Australia by the Maunganui.

From his observations Professor Corbin gathered that the forestry family of the Commonwealth was not as happy as it might be, although several men were quietly doing excellent work. The problems to be faced both by Australia and New Zealand were much the same, except that the cost of establishment, etc., in the Commonwealth was heavier on account of the long, dry summer. The New Zealand climate was particularly well adapted to the growing of the wide variety of species. “ I think Australia will have to draw on New Zealand for a great deal of her softwood supply,” Professor Corbin stated. " Th e Dominion should go in very extensively for soft woods.” Professor Corbin shares the view of many eminent forestry experts that a world shortage of timber is likely. There was not a world-wide effort at reafforestation, he said. While there was plenty of wood about much of it was not suited to commercial and other needs.

Speaking of forestry education, Professor Corbin sijid it was not on the same satisfactory lines in Australia as it was in the Dominion. There was no connection with the universities, and he believed that the New Zealand system of having a school attached to the university would result in greater continuity and greater efficiency generally.