CULT OF THE FOREST

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 166, 9 April 1921, Page 9

CULT OF THE FOREST

“WE MUST BE MISSIONARIES’’

SIR FRANCIS BELL’S SPEECH TO CONSERVATORS

When the recently-appointed forest conservators interviewed the Minister in charge of the Forestry Department (Sir Francis Bell), on Tuesday last, the Minister addressed them upon the broad outlines of the work that the Department had to perform. A report of his speech is given below; — The Minister said: "(tontlwnen, 1 want to begin by telling you all that as a matter of fact I know practically nothing about the duties you have to perform. I want you ail to regard me just as a lawyer, as a man who has been called to the Government, and has been appointed Minister of Forestry, but does not pretend bo know anything about it. Perhaps the less I know on the subject, the better for JM>u and for myself. Fortunately, the Government has the great advantage of the services of a real expert in Captain Ellis, who 'rules me with la trod of iron (and I have no doubt does the the same with you), and also in the eecretary, Mr. Phillips Turner a very able officer, who has really been m charge of the work of forestry for many years. Now the Government has started a separate and distinct organisation, and I hope it will prove its efficiency, and prove that che methods to bp adopted both as to control and administration will be a credit to the service nnd a benefit to New Zealand. Personally, I have had very little to do with it apart from the circumstance that having had to act as Minister of Bands 'during Mr Massey's absence at different times ■ found that this branch of ths Lands Department was necessarily receiving less care than other branches. If- under ■ your care and charge, we can keep a supply of timber for our childrens children, and their childrens children, that will effect my aim. Careful Management. "I do not wish to cut timber that is not wanted. This generation is entitled td all the timber it needs, and I have prohibited export, and mean to prohibit it further. Wo must so manage our timber supplies so that we shall not denude our resources. I hope ttio sawmillers will be our friends m the end for we shall be able to give tliem some continuity of employment. But what I see doming is the increase of mills beyond the necessity of the day for timber. I do not want largerevenuo at the expense of posterity. We need revenue, of course, and we must get if, because if we do not get it, I enottld Ke turned out, and you. have to make good. The Treasury looits upon al' Departments with the utmost suspicion. We must so manage our busimw that, we shall not have to come nnon the Treasury to any great extent. Til we are to rely largely on the Treasury, there will, corn" a day when they won't give ns any more. You will; 1 hope, become enthusiastic in your wort, but you must remember this, that the majority of the people of Zealand and perhaps the majority of the House do not care any--thing about forestry, but look upon it as one of those efforts to promote the regeneration of the human race which are to bo regarded ns subject® to talk about, but not to find money for. “Matter of Public Concern.”

, “Your duties will bo laid down for you and wou will do your best to carry out the schemes of the director and the secretary. We shall have a new lorestry Act, and it will further define what is required. I do not wajit to interfere, but I am glad to have the opportunity of speaking to you, because I want you to have a grip of what is generally the design of the Government, and particularly what our difficulties are. We are setting out together to make goon, and if we do not make good, we shall disappear. Not because our aim is not practical and essential, but because we shall not be able to pelsuado the public that it is. Wo have got to be missionaries. We have got to show and prove that the principle of main tainingiand. establishing,, controlling, and managing our forests is a matter of public concern. This is a principle which has to ba establisrid in New Zealand, and to bo made one of the governing principles of the Dominion. It is a pretty big thing we are all out for. It looks easy enough, but it is not. Most of you have large experience generally, anil in administration, and you are perhaps bettor acquainted than n.-y--self with what lies) before you and the duties of your administration. Do not let us make a mess of it either -in the start or in the continuance. There is far more responsibility resting upon you than on myself. ’ Yon are officials. T shall disappear. My concern in the ’matter nfust shortly become that of a benevolent onlooker; but you will continue to be missionaries and controllers. Tf you make a mess of it, you are doing harm to the Dominion. You have got. to so help int the beginning of the administration of this thing that wo shall prove to the country that wo are right in the policy itself, and in the method of administration. I hope vou will trust me, and I won’t be bored by anvthing you care to bring before me through the regular channels. Tf T can bo n help tn you. T shall be glad of the opportunity; and if T come on tour in the provinces, ami have an opportunity of meeting any of you, I hone yon will make me welcome. I trust Mr. Turner nnd iCantain Ellis completely. Let us all work together.”