EXOTIC FORESTS

Wanganui Chronicle, 18 August 1948, Page 8

EXOTIC FORESTS

TRIBUTE PAID BY MARTON MAN TO THE PLANTERS Tribute to the foresight and tenacity of the men of the early days in New Zealand who planted and laid the foundation of the Dominion’s exotic forests was paid by Mr. R. A. Poppewell, Marton, in an address to the Wanganui Rotary Club yesterday. He said they continued their operations in the face of adverse criticism. Today New Zealand had to thank them for it being in one of the strongest positions in the world as tar as timber supplies are concerned. Mr. Poppewell said the exotic forests will be of inestimable value with trade relations with Australia. Steel from Australia was of first importance in New Zealand, while, in return, timber was one line in which it could export to Australia in large quantities in return. The speaker said that so far as the Dominion was concerned in relation to exotic forests, the preponderance lay with the pinus insignis, which was a native of California. There it was quite unimportant and had a stunted growth and lacked the vitality which its possessed in this country. The species was brought to New Zeaianc, in the early days, and its rapid growth was soon noticed. Farmers began to use it for shelter belts on their properties.

In 1898 the first commercial plantation was laid in Rotorua and from then onwards there was intensive cultivation of the species, Until about 12 months ago it was thought the timber production position overseas was sound. An investigation into the position revealed, however, that Scandinavia had overcut its forests heavily and for th e next 40 years there would be a drop of 40 per cent, in production. Russia, which was another stronghold of timber, would require much of its timber for the next 20 years in making good the damage in that country caused bx the ravages of war.

Canada was a major timber producing country, said Mr. Poppewell, but, for economic reasons, was not prepared to produce to the extent she is capable of. Australia is in a desperate position so far as timber is concerned. The major portion of that country’s supply comes from the Baltic arid Canada.

Mention was made by Mr. Poppewell that in some sawmilling efforts forests would be cut out in from five to 10 .’/ears, and this accounted fo> some of the medicore buildings which were to be seen around some of the mills. Sawmilling could be made on a permanent basis, said Mr. Poppewell, where trees, when cut, were immediately replaced. Thus, when the old trees were cut out, a start could be made on new ones.

Mr. Poppewell said that so far as timber supplies in New Zealand are concerned the native timbers are disappearing rapidly .On the other nand the production of pinus insignis is rising rapidly and in the future this will be used as a standard timber for building purposes. The speaker was thanked for his address by Mr. G. P. Hawkins.