WOODPULP

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18598, 20 June 1930, Page 13

WOODPULP

The eminent authority on afforestation, Sir Herbert Mattehews asserted in the London Times recently that a world shortage of timber was inevitable. Sir Herbert’s prophecy has been backed by Mr J. S. Corbett the Secretary of the Empire Forestry Association. These two authorities are, however, merely corroborating what Lord Rothermere said nearly a year ago when he predicted “a serious shortage of woodpulp within the life time of many of us.” The consumption of pulp wood is meanwhile going up by leaps and bounds. It is known that American Newspaper interests have safeguarded themselves by having purchased large tracts of Canadian Forest Land. The forests of the United States and in Canada are being steadily depleted, and these two countries are doing comparatively little replanting. It looks as though we shall have to rely largely on the countries of the Southern Hemisphere for our timber supplies of the future. New Zealand is a hopeful region. That Dominion has a climate under which certain soft wood trees come to maturity much quicker than in the countries of the Northern Hemisphere. This question of timber supplies should receive careful attention. It is for progressive and resourceful enterprise to turn an attentive ear to the voices of the experts, and to show foresight in defence of pulp wood in the raw material.