THE FORESTRY LEGISLATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 220, 11 June 1919, Page 7

THE FORESTRY LEGISLATION

STRONGLY CONDEMNED BY WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. By Toleitrarh—Press Association. Hokltika, Juno 10.. At dhe Westland County Council's monthly meeting to-day the position regarding the enforcement of forestry legddislation -in Westland was strongly traversed by the chairman's report, which pointed out-the impending injury-to tho district by limiting the progress of settlement and tho loss of revenue to tho local body, as well as crippling industrial development. Members discussed the matters at considerable length, and in the course, of tho discussion tho strongest exception was taken to tho proposod action, which it was stated was contrary to the promise of the Prime Minister, Mr. Massey, to West Coast local bodies in 1913, when the whole position was under review.

The council resolved to invite Sir Francis Bell to visit the district and dismiss matters with the local bodies and 'tho people interested, failing which it was resolved as follows:—"That the council enters a strong protest against the Commissioner of Forests using powers that wore obtained in the dying hours of the last session of Parliament to dcprivo the inhabitants of tho county of Westland, and also this council, of,one of the chief sources of county revenue, by locking up vast areas of matured forests for no definite purpose, and by so doing absolutely removing such forests from the be6t use to which they could bo put, namely, the conversion of timber to industrial purposes, and the opening up of lands suitablo for settlemont. The council also strongly protosts against any further areas being proclaimed as provisional forests until a definite policy for doaling with such forests has been evolved and commenced, and until somo scientific system of demarcation has been submitted to and approved by the people and local bodies interested. That a petition, be presented to Cabinet in tho first instance (and later to both Houses of Parliament if necessary), praying for the repeal of ,tho confiscatory portions of section 34 of the War Legislation Statuto I Law Amendment Act, 1918, relating to State forests, pointing out the serious wrong and injury done to industry and industrial development, as well as dislocation of local bodies' finance which will result under the terms of the section referred to. The council reiterates that the section was put through Parliament with indecent haste, and without adequate explanation n>s to the forco. and effect of the sweeping amendment therein contained, as shown mora particularly in the memorandum on tho policy of tho Government issued by Sir Francis Bell to commissioners of Crown .lands •in April last. That steps be taken to obtain careful estimate of the life of the existing nativo timber in Westland at the present rate of milling operations. That the council heartilj affirms the principle of reafforestation, and that it be a suggestion to tho Government that either the Forestry Department or the local bodies bis - author, ised to proceed with the work at once upon cleared areas of Crown lands considered suitable, thereby affording employment for a number of returning soldiers at present unable, to undertake other sustained heavy work, and it be pointed out that if reafforestation of fastgrowing imported trees be undertaken,' the sanib will be at maturity long before the' native timbers of Westland are exhausted at tho present progress of sawmilling. That' to afford access to the vast areas of unliable timber in South Westland, which will bo otherwise destroyed to mako room for settlement, the council urge the Government to extend the railway south of Ross, as already authorised, .as rapidly as possible. That stops be taken' to improve Okarito harbour for shipping, and provide landing and -loading wharves for export at Bruco Bay and Jackson's Bay, as well as consider ways and means of providing facilities for exporting timber from Okuru nnd other parts of South Westland. That to ensure the necessary supply of milled timber being available for the Dominion for decades to enmo. the Government be urged to establish State sawmills in South Westlahd, and instal the requisite plant for developing hydraulic electrical power at the.most convenient of tho. many suitable sources in the far-stretching district of Westland."

It was further resolved to hold a conference of local bodies from Karamea to South Wcstland nt Holcitikn on Tuesday, July 1, to prepare evidence to submit -to Parliament in support of the repeal of the legislation.