STATE FORESTS.

Evening Star, Issue 4249, 9 October 1876, Page 4

STATE FORESTS.

Sir J, Vogel has addressed a letter to the ‘Argus,’on the State forests question, in which he says :

There is no measure with which I have had to do, g£ which I am so proud, and which, iu my opinion, will be ef larger ultimate advantage to New Zealand than the Forests Act. Not that I presume to think ' hat the idea of legislation with the object of conserving and creating State forests in the Colony originated with me. Many distinguished men from time to time discussed the subject, Mid urged its paramount importance. Amongst those whose names occur to me at tho moment as most eager in the cause, I may refer to tho Hon. Mr Stafford, Mr Kirk, Mr Potts, Mr Travers. Mr O’Neill, Mr J. T. Thomson, and Mr M‘Arthur. It is with consternation I observe the indication of n desire to repeal this Act. The experience of the world is against it. State forests are the most cherished institutions of the countries that possess them, I need only refer as examples, among others, to Sweden, Germany, France, Russia., Prussia, Austria. India, and latest—but not loiist—imerestiug or iniportant, South Australia. On the other hand, consider the laments over neglected forestry. What would France be but far the vigorous cultivation of its forests ? During the last few years notwithstanding all that man has done for North’America it is to be doubted whether that continent has anvl thing like the intrinsic value it possessed when the colored man alone roamed through its vast forests now so frightfully destroyed. There is, I believe’ a wide-spread feeling of consternation in the United States at the manner in which this great question has hitherto been neglected. It seems to me that whilst we are striving so bard to advance the interests of tho present generation in New Zealand, it is wise and graceful to rememher those who come alter us. No public works can atone for desolated forests. Thu plains of Canterbury may be covered with railways in less than the interval from youth to manhood of a single life, but it would take two generations to grace those plains with matured forest. Let us suppose the period bridged over. What would the public debt for railways matter if there were forests to be valued by millions to sot against it. This is but fin instance. Regarding Captain Walker, an explanation may net be out of place. Captain Walker has come to New Zealand for twelve months, at tho end of which time both the Government and he are each at liberty .to make or refuse to make a longer engagement. Captain Walker would have been quite willing to at once organise the management of the forests, and to have fully occupied his time, but it was deemed better to delay doing anything of the kind until he had e«su all the forests and the country reported on them, and indicated the plans ho proposed for the future. The subject wos too important to deal with hastily. Under ■this arrangement Captain Walker considered it better to be idle during tho winter months. Ho lias made arrangements by which he counts on being able to fully report on the forests of the-, country, and to recommended the system lie pro- ’ poses fay the fqbqro within the tjmo of his sMy r T OU the Govc i nfihi’ilt Vopitl depend wlip* tuct Or vot his plans we'fe accepted and his stity ekteuded.