Editorial Comment

Progress, Volume IX, Issue 1, 1 September 1913, Page 645

Editorial Comment

The Report of the Royal Commission on Forestry in New Zealand has now been placed before Parliament, and we must congratulate the late Commissioners on the practical and able manner in which they have dealt with the very important questions on which they were required to report.

The itinerary map published with the report, shows that there was hardly a locality in the Dominion which has not been visited by one or other of the Commissioners, so that it is plainly seen that the report is not the outcome of office meditation. Taking the subject in the order that they have been dealt with by the Commissioners, we come first to Climate Reserves, and it is gratifying to find that their importance has been so strongly emphasised. It is recommended that all forests on high ranges and at the principal streams be made climatic reserves, and that these reserves be made inalienable, except by Act of Parliament. Such reserves have primarily an utilitarian value, and their establishment is demanded by cold common-sense, not merely sentiment. . '

Having urged the necessity for these reserves, it is shown how necessary it is that they be properly looked after, and that cattle, goats, and deer be strictly excluded from them. An interesting photo is given which shows how deer, by eating off the bark, destroy the young and the small forest trees. The burning question of the retention of the Waipoua Kauri Forest was referred to the Commissioners, and, though we regret that they have recommended the milling of this magnificent reserve, we are pleased to find that it is advised that the milling of the timber be done by the State. This is a most necessary precaution, for otherwise it would fall into the hand of the speculators, who, by manipulating the market, could demand their own price for the timber. It might even be all exported to Australia, and entirely lost to this Dominion. Moreover, the State itself requires a large amount of timber annually, and this can now be supplied from the Waipoua Forest.

Coming to the question of the utilisation of our native forests it is pointed out how loose in many districts are the present methods; in the first place the estimation of the standing timber when sold is often so rough- that it is little more than guess work. In some cases the royalty is collected on the sawn output of the mill, which is a procedure that is bound to lead to excessive waste. Also in mining districts anyone holding a mining license may take, gratis, from Crown lands any timber he likes. In New Zealand we have three evergreen beeches which are now being found to have considerable value for timber purposes. All these trees are called in a most indiscriminate manner “red,” “white,” or “black” birch, and as the one is often sold for the other they frequently get used for purposes for which they are not suited, with the result that there is a strong prejudice against them. There are many purposes for which each of these timbers is most suitable, and their value is sure to increase as other timbers get scarcer ;* it is therefore recommended that each of these timbers should have a " definite common name, and that selling one for the other should be made an offence punishable by law. This seems to us a reasonable thing, as we cannot see why a timber merchant should be allowed to sell an inferior under the name of a good timber any more than a grocer should be allowed to sell margarine under the name of butter.

It is pointed out how little reliable are the present estimates of the milling timber now standing in our forests. No proper survey of them has ever been attempted, so an estimation of what they contain can be little more than a guess. It is wisely recommended that more accurate statistics should be obtained of the output of mills, and that a proper survey of indigenous forests should be made without delay. * To estimate probable future demand it is necessary to know with a fair amount of accuracy the present consumption, and the future population; it has been shown that there are no complete statistics concerning the first two of these questions, and the second is more or less of a guess. However, the Commissioners consider that in ,35 years the ■ population may be reckoned to have doubled, and that the

tjmber then required will be about 716 million feet, or about double the present estimated consumption. The per capita consumption .of timber in civilised countries is known to be on the increase, so we think that the Commissioners could have safely put down the probable future consumption at a figure higher than 716 million feet. • •;! Having come to the forestated conclusions it has to be decided whether the present State afforestation operations are on a scale large enough to supply this supposed future demand for timber, and the conclusion the Commissioners have arrived at is that the State should annually plant an area of about 6400 acres, which is nearly three times the area now planted yearly. The Commissioners recommend that the poor pumice and gum lands of the north, and the Mackenzie Plains, and the depleted areas of Central Otago should be used for afforestation purposes, as the financial success of forestry' postulates cheap land. It is also proposed that State assistance in the shape of advice, trees at cost price, and a small remission • in taxation, should be allowed private persons and corporations who undertake to plant timber-producing trees. An example is given to show that short-rotation trees are, if rightly planted, an entirely profitable investment. ; The past management of the plantations is reviewed, and though the preliminary work has been found on the whole to be good, it is considered that the time has now arrived for this important work to be put under - the control of a director

who should also be a man of administrative and financial capacity, and who should receive a salary commensurate with the important operations that he would be responsible for. It is also advised that an Advisory Board should be associated with the director.

t : - Fortunately afforestation and the better utilisation of our native forests are not. party questions, and we believe that both sides of the House fully realise their importance to the State; it is with confidence, then, that we look forward to this Commission producing some considerable result; and we feel sure that in giving early effect to the important recommendations made, the Government will receive the approbation and support of all thinking men in the. Dominion. j : ' -' .■ ''. ■ * * ■"; .*• # * , The Architect's Bill, now before Parliament, has called for" a number of uncomplimentary remarks from various members. Judging from the chorus of protests against the Bill headed by the Wellington and Auckland City Councils, it. certainly looks as if the Bill will have to be amended before becoming law. The main objectors seem to be the Local .Bodies.. Whether it is advisable to exclude them from the operation of the Act should it become law is a point that will probably be decided by the Committee appointed to go into these details, and collect evidence from those interested. But whether it is in the best interests of the _ architecture of this Dominion to allow any ■engineer to practice architecture who is capable of designing a bridge (admittedly highly technical .work) is quite another story. For- after all, what particular part of an engineer's training will enable him to plan a satisfactory building. ,

Mr. Wilford waxed eloquent over the : possibilities of women becoming architects, and stated that in his opinion the Bill should include "every one who thought he could draw plans." This is just one of the difficulties. So many of us think we can. draw- plans, and have thought so. for a long time. It is also one of the reasons why we find so many badly designed houses, around us, 1 drawn by people who think they know all about house building... The women are not likely .to be much trouble t . in this direction, valuable though their, advice is in some household' matters, but,. if any of them feel . disposed to take up architecture as a serious study, we see nothing in the Bill to stop : them, : provided they go through a proper course of study. Mr. Wilford may be interested to hear that there is at the present time a qualified lady architect who is a member of the N.Z.I.A. The main point is, will the passing of such a Bill tend to the architectural betterment of the Dominion ? And we say emphatically that its tendency is in that direction. ; ■ r .. '• ***** In a Memorandum issued by the N.Z. Institute of Architects and signed by the Secretary on behalf of the Council of the Institute, evidently written for the edification of the Members of the House, appears the following:—" Briefly it may be said that the aims of the architect.are: To promote the welfare of . the community; to reduce disease by providing healthy homes, carefully designed, and of sound construction; to assist the authorities to beautify and embellish cities, towns and districts; and to be dominated throughout by a self-sacri-ficing devotion to his art and to display his highest integrity in the discharge of his exalted trust. And these aims-the Institute has kept prominently before its members since its inception." * There is another paragraph in the Memorandum which runs as follows It is essentially requisite that an architect should have a sound knowledge of town development in all its aspects,. with a view to ensure that, throughout, there shall be ; a proper blending of perfect utility and artistic effect; for, without doubt, improved and beautiful surroundings (including fitly designed buildings) exercise an elevating and refining influence upon a people." In bringing forward these ideals the . N.Z.I.A. gives expression to a high ideal, and if the Bill can assist members to live up to this standard it will be amply justified.

It must, however, be remembered that it is the high motive and ideal that produce good architecture. Personally, we think there will be less really bad work after registration has been in force some time, but really good work depends upon our having really good.men in the ranks of the profession. Whether we get the benefit of the good men when we have them will depend largely upon the attitude of those responsible for building enterprises both large and small. Public bodies should recognise their responsibilities in this direction, and place all work in the hands of good men without imposing too many limitations. In short, what is required is an appreciation by the whole community of the value of good architecture. : *-

We anticipate that the Bill will go through this session.