PROGRESS OF AFFORESTATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1930, Page 8

PROGRESS OF AFFORESTATION.

The addresses given to the Auckland Rotary Club by two representatives of commercial afforestation in New ’ Zealand were distinctly optimistic. They reported that the growth of the trees was little short of phenomenal and proved that New Zealand could grow trees three times as fast as colder countries. The further point was stressed that afforestation meant the expenditure of a considerable amount in wages while the trees are growing and will mean even heavier expenditure 3 when the time comes to market the timber. Though the reports only confirmed the opinions of others interested in forestry it is very satisfactory to receive such assurances from a purely commercial undertaking. It is no exaggeration to say that in regard to afforestation, no less than in regard to many other products of the land, New Zealand is a highly favoured country. It looks as though it may be possible to rectify some of the damage done by the reckless sacrifice of forests in the past, and to provide profitable employment for many in doing so, with an ultimately satisfactory return for the capital invested. What is equally satisfactory is that there is a grovzing recognition of the value of tree planting and care to the ordinary holding. It is not so long since the suggestion that tree planting should form part of successful farm operations was openly scoffed at or regarded as the ideal of a. few enthusiast’s. To-day throughout Taranaki tree planting is extending rapidly and wherever it has been undertaken with care and the young trees afforded the necessary attention the results have been uniformly satisfactory. Afforestation not only reclaims waste lands but is preparing the way for future timber industries, of which the scope and importance is even yet but scarcely comprehended.