DOMINION FORESTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 239, 9 October 1928, Page 10

DOMINION FORESTRY.

OVERSEA EXPERTS' STUDT.

PRAISE BY LORD CLYHTOK.

DELEGATION WELCOMED.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The primary object of the tour of the Empire forestry experts, who arrived today from Australia, is not to see the scenic beauties of New Zealand, but to gain first-hand knowledge of the forestry conditions. In welcoming the visitors at a State luncheon to-day, the Prime Minister said that forestry questions were exercising the minds of the leading men of all countries in the world. It was a matter for regret that Lord Lovat was not present at the luncheon, for he was a true Empire-builder in every sense of the term, and they were all looking forward to meeting him.

Mr. Coates said all New Zealanders were interested in afforestation. New Zealand had gone as far as any other country in regard to forestry, and they were hoping for even greater progress as a result of the visit of the delegation. Speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., endorsed all Mr. Coates had said. The whole of the people of New Zealand were seized of the importance of the subject of and were proud of the department which was administering it. The Department could be assured of the support of all sections of political thought in the Dominion. Responding to the toast Lord Clynton assured those present that the delegation appreciated the welcome extended to them. He was glad tfl know all sections of New Zealand were keen on the advancement of forestry, The Imperial side of their work could not be overemphasised for the matters they were discussing affected the whole Empire and its 'future welfare. It was essential they should know what was going on in the various parts of the Empire. In England they had only just begun to restore the forests which had been destroyed, but the question was a wider one thp.n that. It was essential that every portion of the Empire should play its part, and for that reason they were V know ;what ma being accomplished in New Zealand. '

Lord Clynton paid a tribute to the work of Sir Francis Bell, whom he described as tihe pioneer of forestry in New Zealand. The progress in New Zealand was greater than that of any other portion of the Empire. He -said he did not believe that a forester could be fully and successfully trained in his own country, and for that reason he thought members of the forestry service in New Zealand should be given the opportunity to visit forests in other parts of the world. Mr. E. H. Finlayson, Director of Forestry, Ottawa, also responded to the toast.