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XXXVI

(4.) Owing to the diversity of opinion that exists as to the rate of growth of our native trees, it is important that immediate steps be taken to settle beyond dispute what is the increment volume per acre per annum of timber produced by the timber-trees in our native forests growing under forest conditions. (5.) Referring to the export of timber, and having regard to the conditions already referred, to under which this country may before many years be dependent on foreign supplies, the placing of restrictions upon export is regarded as an imperative necessity. (6.) While the making of adequate provision for our future timber-supplies is of the utmost importance, other aspects of forestry should not be overlooked. One of these aspects is water and stream-flow conservation. It is therefore recommended that lands at the head of and forming the catchment areas of rivers should be permanently reserved as forest areas in order to assist in preventing erosion and flooding, and at the same time conserving the flow of water for all purposes. It is also recommended that our forest policy of the future should include planting for climatic reasons, more particularly in the larger valleys or gullies which penetrate our mountain-ranges in the driest areas of the Dominion. (7.) That as soon as practicable a Chair of Forestry be established in one of the University colleges. In this connection the Committee is pleased to note that the late Mr. T. W. Adams, of Greendale, Canterbury, has left a handsome bequest to the Board of Governors of Canterbury College towards the establishment of a school of forestry in connection with that institution. (8.) That in order to encourage local bodies particularly to afforest catchment areas in connection with their water-supplies, and provide at the same time timber suitable for general requirements, financial assistance by way of subsidy, based on the acreage planted, should be given to local authorities for the planting of trees approved by the Forestry Department. (9.) That a seed-store for the supply of forest seeds true to name and of the most approved varieties, as promised by the Government more than a year ago, be established without further delay. (10.) That efforts should be made to educate public opinion as to the value of forests and the necessity of preserving them from destruction by fire ; and with that object the Forestry Department should undertake propaganda work by means of notices in public places, bulletins, and illustrated lectures, while educative work should be done in the public schools. Manufacture of Paper from Wood-pulp. ()ur annual importations of paper amount to more than half a million sterling, and the volume is certain to increase as time goes on. The establishment of this industry would provide considerable employment, and it is very desirable that we should be independent of foreign supplies. Further, the matter is one of urgency, as there is a serious shortage in the world's supply, and little prospect of paper coining down, in price. Experiments have been made by private individuals, and timber's have been sent abroad to be tested, with, it is claimed, satisfactory results. The Committee has been informed of the existence of a company that has been promoted to undertake this business, and that it has done some preparatory work. it is recommended that assistance by way of bonus, at so-much per ton on. say, the first 5,000 tons manufactured, be given to any company, provided it furnishes to the GJovernment satisfactory evidence that sufficient supplies of suitable timber- are available to ensure the permanency of its operations.