BEYOND RECALL?

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1819, 4 August 1913, Page 6

BEYOND RECALL?

THE CLOAK THAT NATURE GAVE. Half a century ago the utilitarian axe had- mado little impression on our forests; to-day there is a cry, ever-inorcasing in volume, against the causes of tho disappearance of the verdure with which Nature cloaked the land. The president of the Agricultural Societies' Conference (Mr. Ewan Campbell, of Wanganui), 6peaking at the final sitting, said that one reason for tho disappearance of the Native bush was that Nature had never allowed for it as an improvement. Further, if farmers mado use of their bush by selling it as firewood they were charged a royalty, but if they disposed of it by burning it down there was 110 tax imposed. These were instances of tho "encouragement" given by past Governments to the preservation of tho forests. Mr. Campbell and Mr. John Studholmo (Ashburton) said that pinus insignus had been found a very useful wood, and that as it was quick-growing it would in the future be valuable. Mr. Campbell said that it had been found suitable for but-ter-boxes, and Mr. Studliolme said that in Canterbury houses were now being built of it. The conference resolved: "That further encouragement should be given to plant tho waste and other lands of the Dominion with approved varieties of trees.',' , ■ .