FORESTRY IN THE EMPIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1928, Page 11

FORESTRY IN THE EMPIRE

ITS IMPORTANCE STRESSED THE DELEGATION IN WELLINGTON, : '.i/ WELCOME EXTENDED BY SPATE. By Telegraph.—Press A'ssocUtlon. Wellington, Last Night. About fifty Empire forestry delegates arrived by the Maunganui to-day. They proceeded to Dunedin to-night to make a fifteen days’ tour of New Zealand forests. At a luncheon given by the Government, when proposing the toast of “Our Guests,” the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, said it was a unique privilege for those present to have an opportunity of meeting such distinguished visitors from all parts of the Empire. Their presence showed the importance of the question of forestry and mere than that—the desire to get together and know the Empire. It brought home to them the necessity of trading, within their own family.

The members of the delegation might have been surprised at the boisterous welcome they received in the harbour that morning (laughter), but there was an old Maori saying “To arrive with tears; to leave with smiles.” They in New Zealand were proud of the stock from which they sprang, and the members of the delegation could be assured of a hearty welcome in all parts of the country. The object of the forestry conference was to get to know what was happening in the various parts of the Empire and to endeavour to use the forestry resources of the Empire to the best advantage. Forestry questions were exercising the minds of the leading men of all countries at present. It was a matter for regret that Lord Lovat was not present at the luncheon, for he was a true Empire builder in every sense of the term, and they were all looking forward to meeting him.

All New Zealanders were interested in afforestation, and much good work had been accomplished in the direction of conserving the forests and converting them to economic use. The industry should be completely and thoroughly Organised, and that involved most Careful investigation of the whole problem. New Zealand had gone as far as any country in regard to forestry, and they were hoping for even greater progress as the result of the visit of the delegation. Apart altogether from strict business, the Government hoped they would get to know the members better as the representatives of sister portions of the Empire. "PROUD OF THE DEPARTMENT.” Speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) endorsed all Mr. Coates had said. The whole of the people of New Zealand were seized with the importance of the subject of forestry and were proud of the department which was administering it. The department could be assured of the support of all sections of political thought in the Dominion. Responding to the toast, Lord Clynton assured those present that the delegation appreciated the welcome extended to them. He was glad to know that all sections in New Zealand were keen on the advancement of forestry. The imperial ride of their work could not be over emphasised, for the matters they wore discussing affected the whole Empire and its future welfare. It was essential they should know what was going on in the various parts of the Empire. In England they had only just begun to restore the forests which had been destroyed, but the question was' a wider one than that. It was essential that every portion of the Empire should play its part and for that reason they were glad to know what was being accomplished in New Zealand. Lord Clynton paid a tribute to the work of Sir Francis Bell, whom he described as the pioneer in New Zealand of forestry, tho progress of which in New Zealand was greater than in any portion of the Empire. (Applause). He did not believe a forester could be fully and successfully trained in his own country, and for that reason he thought members of the Forestry Service in New Zealand should be given the opportunity to visit forests in other parts of the world. Members of the delegation were looking forward to their visit to various portions of the Dominion. Mr. T. H. Linlayson, Director of Forestry at Ottawa, also responded to the toast, and expressed thanks for the welcome extended. He referred to the development of forestry in various parts of the Empire. The New Zealand’s quota to the conference includes Mr. E. P, Turner, Director of Forestry, and about a dozen of the departmental officers.