FOREST RESERVATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 283, 22 April 1913, Page 5

FOREST RESERVATION.

SUGGESTIONS BY MR .ELL.

Per Press Association,

Christchurch, Last Night. Last month Mr. 11. G. Ell, M.P. for Christchurch South, communicated with the Prime Minister, urging that when bush land was opened for settlement, there should be reserved at least a few acres for the purpose of preserving the natural forest of the country growing thereon, say twenty or twenty-five acres. Mr. Ell pointed out that* during the past few months, a number of sale plans of land, including a very large area of forest covered country, had been issued, but the plans did not show any area set aside as reserves for the purpose of preserving the forest. He was aware that to the settler the forest was regarded as a difficulty in his way, which had to be removed, and that therefore in the initial stages of settlement, those reserves were not viewed with favor, but there would conic a time when those eery settlers would be as keenly anxious to preserve any siijall area, which might have escaped burning as they were now to destroy it. In many parts of New Zealand former!v covered with bush, the settlers had approached the Ciovernmcnt and asked them'to preserve some area of bush, which had escaped destruction That had happened in several places, botli in the Wcllinglon and Hawke's tiav districts.

Mr. Massey, in reply, said that he hm! read with interest Mr. Ell's suggestion in the matter of conserving in various localities suitable areas of forest. The matter had been giving him a good deal of thought lately, and it was one of the reasons among others, which prompted the Government to set up the Forestry Commission, which was now visiting the different parts of the Dominion. The question of forest reservation was one upon which the Commission had been asked specially to make investigations, and when the report of the Commission was received, anv recommendation which was made on the matter would have the careful consideration of the Government. He had forwarded Mr. Ell's letter to the Chairman of the Commission.

The Chairman of the Forestry Commission Ins written to Mr. Ell stating that the members of the Commission had read his memo on this important <inestion with very deep interest, and those views would be further considered when the members of the Commission were deliberating over their report.