THE HOUSE ON THE FOREST BILL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1600, 7 August 1874, Page 315

THE HOUSE ON THE FOREST BILL.

MR SHEEHAN,

Mr Sheehan said ho was convinced that the subject was of sufficient importance to justify the great labor bestowed upon it by the Premier during the recess, but he was also convinced that there was little chance of the measure becoming law. As to the vast stoics of information compiled, much of it was utterly useless. Coinpa red wi th the means adopted in this colony in timber working, we were ages in advance of the German system. Much needless alarm was raised about the pernicious effects of clearing the forests. France and Switzerland were once nearly wholly clothed with forests, and since a great portion was cleared away, the climate had been absolutely improved. So it had been in Greece. He doubted much whether the ancient empires once found in the East owed their decline to the denudation of their timber. From his personal observation and other sources of information, he felt bound to say that the estimate submitted of the disappearance of the New Zealand forests was much exaggerated. Besides, he thought it alnio.it impossible to conserve native forests unless they were fenced in, because, wherever there were cattle and sheep, European grasses found their way, and the forests gradually decayed. The scheme, moreover, if carried out, would have most injurious effects upon the settlement of the colony generally, especially upon a large number of people in Auckland, who existed by the export trade of timber; and we should be benefiting America, New Caledonia, and other islands, from which timber would be rtiported to this colony. To show the extent to which the" timber trade is carried on in Auckland, he would mention that one million feet per week were turned out from one mill. With regard to the effect the denuding of timber would have upon the climate, he considered that clearing ti-tree and other scrub had a worse effect regarding floods than large forest trees had. He agreed that timber should not be treated as recklessly as had been the case. He va.i happy to say that in Auckland it was no longer competent for a man to pay five pounds and go into the bush and cut what timber he liked. A good deal could be done to prevent wanton destruction in other ways. Gum diggers, for instance, were in the habit, of burning away scrub, and often causing a great destruction of forest. He thought the existing highway system might be made available, so as to prevent useless destruction in localities where the highway .system was in operation, and that was, more or less, all over the colony. it might not be possible to preserve native forests, except in inaccessible places, but we might replace them to a great extent by planting American and Australian trees. The establishment of a college for the study of forestry was far in advance of the requirements of the colony. On looking around the settled parts of this colony, it would be seen that the settlers were partially making amends for native trees and those destroyed by planting other trees. He agreed with the Bill so far as it concerned the protection of our forests, but would reserve the right of opposing many of the clauses. Considering the very large amount of attention the Bill had already received throughout the colon)’, the safest and best course would be to accept tbesccond reading, and, after ventilation, then bring down a more suitable measure next session, MR GILLIES. Mr T. B. Gillies made a bitterly hostile speech, ami denounced the Bill, and said he doubted much of the facts and figures adduced. The denudation of forests was not always injurious, but sometimes beneficial, as in a forestcovered province like Auckland. He thought tree planting might be required on the treeless plains of Canterbury. The General Government had too much to do without looking after the forests of the whole colony. As to the computation of the probable income from conserved forests, any of them might make such calculations regarding our oyster beds as to make it appear that you could derive revenue enough from them to pay off the national debt of England. The Bill would give the Government powers which should be in the hands of the House only. The only reason why they were sending to Oregon for timber was because of the viciousness of our native land laws in locking up the kauri forests of Auckland. Such bills as this were easily put on the statute book, but it was difficult to get them off if when once passed, especially when they provided for salaries. The Bill held out a cunning bait, and he hoped the colony would refuse to take it. MB. I’ITZHERBERT. Mr Filzlierbort. made a long and characteristic speech, condemning the measure as one, however disguised, which practically meant taking away from the Provinces the control of two millions of acres of the most valuable of their lands, without affording any equivalent. He had no objection to expeliHunting on the conservation of forests, but this was like making a model the same size as the ship you intended to construct. MR STAFFORD. Mr Stafford, in an eloquent speech, supported the second reading. He said that so thoroughly did he believe in the Bill that he would sooner put ib on the statute book, supposing every clause required amendment, than see it shelved for future legislation. The Government could carry the measure if they desired, and be hoped the Premier would show he was in earnest by pressing it upon the House. Why should they cry out that it interfered with the provinces ? The provinces had already shown they could not carry out such a great scheme, and were they like some little god almighties that the colony must bow to them if they objected, Excepting

Otago, the provinces had all shown the cold shoulder to the request of the Premier for information upon the question. Some provinces undoubtedly could deal with the matter unassisted, but the Financial Statement showed that the majority were asking the colony foi aid to carry out their ordinary functions. As to ridiculing the idea of a scientific college, without it the whole scheme would fail. For climatic reasons alone he should pass the Bill, and make a commencement. He had, by personal observation, seen a fertile and populous valley on the Rhine depopulated and converted into a desert of shingle by the mountains adjacent being denuded of timbei. He hoped' the Government would show a willingness to accept any bond fide amendments, and invite the co-operation of the provinces. Already the colony was going to Oregon for sleepers for railways. He granted the kauri forests of Auckland would lastthirty yeai s; but after that, what then? No new kauri was growing up to replace the old.