FORESTRY IN EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 304, 17 September 1920, Page 3

FORESTRY IN EMPIRE

POLICY DEFINED

A STANDARD OF LOCAL PROGRESS

The British Empire Forestry Conference, which met recently in London and was attended ,by representatives from practically all parts of the Empire except New Zealand, arrived at clear-cut conclusions; in regard to tho urgent heed of systematic timber-production throughout the Empire. Somo of its resolutions, including that in which it urged that each Government of tho Empire should lay down a definite forest policy to bo administered by a properly constituted and adequate forest service, were reported at the time by cablegram. In addition, however, tho conference outlined tho following programme of forestry development, which is interesting as showing what is necessary and as n standard bv which to measure the progress thus far madei in Now Zealand:-;

"In order to .obtain continuity in tho development of forest resources, it 1s that certain elements of stability bB seoirred in the- constitution of the forest policy. Thils may bo done by tho following measures: "(1) The definition, where this has not been done already, of forest policy ih a Forestry Act, or ordinance.

"(2) The reservation, for the purpose of economic management and development of forest land under conditions which prevent the alienation of any whifch is primarily suitable for forests except for reasons consistent with the maintenance of tho forest policy as a whole.

"(3) The assurance to the forest authority of funds sufficient to carry out the accepted policy for n series of years. "(i) The grant to members oi the forestry service of the status of civil servants, with due provision for pension. ' •

"(5) The appointment as tho 'ihief officers of the forestry sorvice of persons having a hfgh standard of training in forestry, thair election and promotion being by merit alone.

"(G) The establishment in each of the larger parts of the Empire and for the colonies not possessing responsible government, collectively, of an officer, or officers, having special duties of advising as to forest policy and surveying its execution."

In New Zealand an expert Director of Forestry (Captain Ellis) has been retained,, and somo steps have been taken towards organising a forest service, but it still, remains to lay down a definite forest policy, and rriako the financial provision which will permit its being carried into effect under the conditions of assured continuity recommended by the Empire Forestry Conference.

In other resolutions the conference urged the need of education and publicity in regard to questions of forestry and of adequate provision for research in the interest* of forest development and the utilisation of forest produce. It affirmed also that: "It is extremely desirable that the forest authority should be in close touch and consultation with organisations representing the interests concerned in the extraction and utilisation of t'lmber and other forest _ produce." This recommendation is interesting- in view of the emphasis the New Zealand Director of Forestry has laid on the necessity of reoritanisiii? and supervising the timber-milling industry," in order, to fliniinnte the present serious waste' of timber and ensure continuing crons on land that hitherto' has been kid waste.