FORESTRY SCHEMES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19914, 9 August 1927, Page 7

FORESTRY SCHEMES

A SPIRITED DEFENCE VICTORIAN CRITIC ANSWERED (Per Press Association.)' WELLINGTON, Aug. 8, Strong exception was taken by the president of the New Zealand Timber Growers (Mr W. McArthur) against certain statements made recently by the Victorian Minister of Forests with regard to the operation of forest companies. Tho statements will probably be replied to later by the Hon. O. J. Hawken. The message from Melbourne was to the effect that the Minister had attacked the business methods of certain companies. These enterprises, he was reported to have said, claimed that high prices would be paid in the future for soft woods for pulping purposes, but in no part of the world was soft wood used for thia purpose. Mr McArthur said that the statements were absurd and fanciful. The sources of wood supply are Canada, Sweden, Finland and the United States, where are produced almost entirely spruce and other distinctly soft woods. The Minister also stated that the companies had been selling forestry bonds for £25 to £3O, entitling the holder to timber on an acre of land, and whereas it had been claimed that the timber would be worth £5OO in 20 to 30 years’ time, ho doubted if it would be worth £lO. Mr McArthur said that the Minister was apparently not acquainted with the possibilities in New Zealand. It had beon amply demonstrated that tho growing of timber in ’the Dominion, under capable management, was a profitable business and that the estimated values quoted could be amply substantiated by proof. The Minister might just as well contend that he doubted if In 20 or 30 years ’ time wool would r>« worth a half-penny a pound. If tho forests were not going to be worth more, why were the Forestry Department of the State of Australia, including Vitoria, planting on an extensive scale? If it was good business for the State it was better business for private enterprise.