PRAISED IN CANADA

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 89, 9 January 1935, Page 9

PRAISED IN CANADA

Reafforestation in New Zealand

Montreal, December 17.

Canada, land of illimitable forests itself, has taken a tremendous interest in New Zealand's reafforestation efforts, so much so that a recent issue of the Montreal “Star” suggests that New Zealand can teach the Dominion a great deal about the business. In a very frank leading article, the paper urges Canada to adopt a system similar to the sister Dominion.

“In New Zealand,” it says, “they set to work with a vigour and an enthusiasm that are now beginning to bear fruit. A hundred years ago, when New Zealand was first settled by the English, it was half forest. To-day only one-tenth of the area is forest. This is the result of reckless clearing of trees during the closing period of the nineteenth century, when everything was sacrificed to establish pasture for sheep. But painful experience taught the New Zealanders that much land unsuitable for pasture was excellent for tree-growing; and they have profited by their experience. “Lord Bledisloe, the GovernorGeneral, is himself taking an active part in pushing forward the reafforestation campaign and in other movements by the New Zealand Forestry League to educate public opinion in this direction, particularly among the younger generation. The timbers of New Zealand, rare and beautiful among world types, are slowly becoming better known. The demand for timber in Great Britain is steadily increasing, and with a consumption 10 times in excess of her home production, Great Britain can take a lot more timber from the Empire than she does. Canada is as keenly interested in getting her full share of this trade as is New Zealand., It is up to us to look toward the future, however, as well as the immediate present, and to take such steps as will ensure that our supply will at least keep pace with the demand. This can only be assured by a consistent and properly organised system of reafforestation from coast to coast.” —Reuters.