Timber Conference

Southland Times, Issue 13504, 22 July 1896, Page 2

Timber Conference

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, July 21. At tho Conference to-day Mr Mackie, of the Indian Forest Department, was present. The committee appointed to consider the selection and classification of timbers suitable for build ng and furniture for exportpurposes reported that there is but little timber for export. Our forests are not so extensive as represented and twenty years hence there will be little timber in the colony. They suggested that the Government should settle people on open land in preference to forest soil, which would create a home market and stop the wholesale destruction of timber by fire. Several members expressed dissent from the forest part of the report, but it was adopted. Tho Forestry Committee’s report was adopted, recommending conservation of the forests aud submitting them to sale only as the requirements of the trade make it n cessary ; that forests on lands suitable for settlement should be first disposed of; that to enable sawmillers to provide proper plant to turn out timber in the best condition all restrictions as to the area they may hold should be abolished; that sawn sleepers should bo preferred to hewn in order to save waste.