AFFORESTATION WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 280, 26 November 1931, Page 9

AFFORESTATION WORK

GOVERNMENT’S ACTIVITIES Referring to afforestation in the course of a political address at Lime hills, Mr. P. A. de la Perrelle said it was well known that New Zealand in earlier years was richly endowed with vast forests of millable timber. Tho demand, however, had far exceeded tho supply, and to-day forests were fast diminishing, so that in view of future requirements it had been neoes sary to go in largely for afforestation schemes. To-day 7,000,000 acres wore cun trolled by' tho State Forest Service These were valued at £38,000,000. About 50.000 acres were planted annually. and more recently a vigorous policy was adopted to make avenues of employment, about 200 seasonal hands being emploved, apart from the permanent staffs.

It had been tho policy of tho department. working in co-operation with tho Lands and Agricultural Departments, to put only such lands into forestry that xf.ould be unsuitable for genera’ farming purposes. Included in the scheme was that of Pebbly Hills of 6900 acres in Southland. This work was undertaken largely in redemption of tho promise made to speaker that an area would be established in Southland. He understood that 2000 of this area was planted up in 1930 and 1778 acres this year. It was hoped to complete tho planting nf the whole area next voar.