FORESTRY IN WESTLAND.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17420, 3 April 1922, Page 6

FORESTRY IN WESTLAND.

LEAGUE ORGANISER INTERVIEWED. A successful beginning in the work of, organising the Forestry League's campaign in Westland wa6 made by Mr Will Lawson in Hokitika on Thursday night. A well-attendod meeting was held under tho auspices of the W7cstland Chamber of Commerce. In the absence of the Mayor, the chair was taken by Mr W. J. Butler, a member of the League's executive. At the conclusion of an interesting rtddrcss by the organiser, illustrated by lantern slid«s. it was decided that a branch of the Forestry League should be formed in Westland, and that a meeting bci called at an early date to' carry the project into effect. , Commenting on the matter on his return to Christchurch on Saturday, Mr Lawson said that tho result of this brief preliminary visit was decidedly satisfactory. Conditions in regard to forestry matters in Westland differed considerably from those in ot'her places where the League was now established - In his address he'had stressed the point that it was in forested areas that n. forestry policy was most needed, and that Westland should bo strongly represented on the League's council, in order to ensure that her needs should bo capably represented. While the hulk of the residents of the Coast appreciated the value of a definite forestry policy, there was a feeling of doubt on the paint in tho minds of a, few. This fooling could bo traced clearly to a misunderstanding or want of sympathy which was noticeable wlien the ex-Min-ister of Forestry, Sir Francis Bell, met representatives of various public bodies and private interests in Hokitika three years ago. Mr Ldwson. said (he felt sure that if a further conference on tho matters then discussed could be arranged, an agreement on all points would probably be reached. Other aspects of the forestry situation in Westland would 'be< tho subject of a report to the Council of the League, but until they hall been discussed by that body tho organiser said he could not refer to them in detail. Ho would like to add. however, tlhat the officers of tho State Forest Service appeared to be carrying out their duties in that land of forest areas in a tactful and business-like manner.