Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY OCTOBER 4,1918. AFFORESTATON

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY OCTOBER 4,1918. AFFORESTATON

In our issue of Wednesday there wa s a contributed article on the subject m afforestation. In the experience of all countries, tins is a question of national importances and the Dominion will have occasion to give the subject every consideration. Here, on the West Coast, where nature ha s been so lavish in the , gifts of far-reaching bush-lamls, the average, person failing to give even passing atontion to the question of afforestation, will be inclined to discount any such proposals at first hand. Yet, even here, experience is showing the necessity for tree planting in this day and generation so that there will lie renewing supplies of an indispensible commodity for those who come after. Broadly considered the question affeet s the use of our existing forests, as well as replenishing the timber country as it is being cut out. From time to time the Governments have sought advisory assistance from commissions or forestry with regard to the utilisation of the forest lands to the best advantage, and their subsequent renewal, yet a policy has not yet- been decided upon. The demolition of the national timber asset, goes on with but little thought for those who come after. There are signs that this indifference is to be replaced by a line of action, but it remains to be seen what course will be taken. Tito author of the contributed article issues a warning against any national hope of supplies from the replanting of native trees. It is to lie feared that the Government is disposed to act along these lines. Local experience where the habits of life of thp forestry are so well-known, will hardly favour experiments along such a line. Those whose business it is to go about, the bush land, know bow slowly native trees mature. As a matter of fact they take generations. The policy suggested of even saving the smaller and apparently younger trees for more mature growth, is n very questionable procedure. On tin’s West Coast relieved of the shade and protection of the wealth of undergrowth by forced clearings, forests deteriorate, and the small trees left standing and isolated will be doomed to decay. Moreover, once a miller has gone through a bush and taken what bo may, it will not be profitable to the industry to return again in Inter years with an expensive transport plant to work to recover what has been left over to mature. Small tree s preserved for larger growth, would be actually lost, and it were better to cut- them out while the miller is operating over a definite area. In this territory the Government have been culpably lacking in regard to experimental work. There are areas of great dimensions cleared 0 f heavy bush which have lieen left to nature to renew with an undergrowth of rubbish. No effort has been made to use this land, mostly Crown Lands, for any useful purpose. Indeed very little is known of the quality of our terrace denuded land for reproductive use. It is high time this matter was taken up in earnest and the question determined as to the best way to utiliso those cleared forest areas. It i s largely a question for those most connection with the sawmilling industry to help educate public upon. Governments have neglected the duty and failed to take up the matter. Where they are disposed to move, it is often by regulation, the provisions of which do not recognise the whole interests at issue. The matter of the proper utility of our forest lands is still in a very nebulous state, while the question for future time supplies to replace the areas now being cut out, is quite neglected. The timber industry is of the greatest importance, and requires to be handled with a full sense of responsibility as to the future requirements. The duty of the country in this matter should not he ignored and the views put forward by our contributor are worthy not only consideration ( but prompt action on the linos proposed.