Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JUNE 16th 1919. THE TIMBER QUESTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1919, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JUNE 16th 1919. THE TIMBER QUESTION.

Tiie discussion and the decisions reached at the late meeting of the Westland County Council on the forestry legislation, has succeeded in promoting some useful outside criticism, which should be of service in leading up to something more practical than prevails at present under the harmful regulations now being enforced. The Hon. Minister (Sir Francis Bell) has issued a statement to the press, which is more remarkable for what it omits than, for the candour of its references to the points touched upon. The Minister states definitely it is the settled policy of the country to retain the growing timber for the use of the people of New Zealand, and he proceeds to quote the rise in the export of red pine, from eight millions to forty millions as a fact to occasion . alarm. Sir Francis does not know, or certainly does not disclose the knowledge, that a high proportion of the red pine going out of the country, is material, which, were the export prohibited, would be absolute waste in the Dominion —it would never leave the mills. This waste is now providing employment and bringing in wealth to New Zealand as well as being something of n quid pro quo for the Australian hard-woods it is necessary for this country for public works, and other massive undertakings, to import. If it is realised across the Tasman Sea that New Zealand is determined upon prohibiting the export of its soft woods, retaliation in that quarter probably in coal supplies as well as hard-wood timbers will result. Again, we are fearful of the mind of the officials in regard to what will be considered land in Westland of “average value.” The value of land in this province is decried over and over again by the official mind, and if that attitude is maintained, the vast area of country in, Westland now declared provisional forests will so remain. The land will bo locked up indefinitely and the whole future of the district is thus menaced. Sir Francis acknowledges that the timber crop is the best crop that the land will produco, and because of tin’s lie is going to retain that value, board up the wealth 'or posterity—at a time when the Dominion needs all the industrial expansion vliicli can attend it. The Minister appears to think that the alternative to this is ruthless destruction. Such is not the case. The milling industry does not exist to destroy timber for the mere pleasure of destruction. It should not be necessary to emphasise for a gentleman of Sir Francis Bell’s necumen, that the timber trade is carried on ns a commercial industry, and is part of the industrial organisation necessary to supply a requisite commodity io meet a general demand. In the general interests of t-lie present generation this industry must not be stifled. Apart from what it means to the people who have their capital invested in the industry, and the army »f workmen employed therein, ns well as tile families and communities thereby supported, the timber is required to meet national requirements to-day. By add-

restrictions and chocking trade expansion, a a well ns limiting areas fot working, the timber supplies for the natural needs of New Zealand will become less and loss, and prices must go on soaring, adding to the cost of bousing and rents, and so piling on instead of relieving, a main factor in the eost of living.

attacking the ordinary scenic road reservation which fringes the main south road, the beauty of which is enhanced so much by the wealth of verdour flanking its sides right down to the confines of lYesGand. Of course this is not so. It is not this limited area which the local body is perturbed about, hut the nine hundred odd thousand acres spread throughout Westland—and the threat that more still are to be declared State Forests. As the Press says, there are leagues of forest country stretching away south, and New Zealand would witness a great industrial spurt wore it possible to mill those areas within the limited period Government officials have determined as the life of the forests. The fact is that the Forestry officials appear to have # but the faintest idea of the great store of millable timber in Westland, ana the Press does not grasp the magnitude of the storage, or it would not he in fear and trembling to preserve what it describes as the pride of West-land-—its magnificent bush. The good people of Westland and those who are to come after them cannot live on scen-

ery. They require something more tangible for support, and if the district is to carry a population, more and more room must he found. The bush must be cleared and in its clearing, let it be marketed, and turned into cash—thc% rich crop that it is—not allowed to go up in smoke, or allowed to stand as a mute monument to Government in capacity as to the first principles of settlement.

The proposal of the Kaiiieri Power Ltd. to distribute electric power throughout the district marks another stage in the development of Westland. There aro many, many districts all over New Zealand which would be anxious to avail themselves of such an opportunity were such offering. Here, private enterprise steps ‘in and proposes to provide “the live wire. It ia an opportunity which should he availed of. The community as a whole might well consider the utilisation of electric power for the establishment of local industries. Probably the promoters of the scheme have something of this in mind, for the lighting project is not likely to be a material help financially. Industrial undertakings should spring up as a result of a cheap and effective power, and it is in this direction where we look to see the community reap the greatest advantage. It has been a matter of complaint always that local industries are not established here; that outside sources have to supply all our requirements in the way of manufactured goods. The present seems an opportune time to consider the establishment of local manufacturing undertakings to afford employment to the young, and by retaining wealth in the place, build up the district with the productions brought about by industrial enterprises. West Coast folk have sunk a good deal of capital in various phases of mining, shipping and other like ventures. The same enterprise carried into other industrial avenues would lead to the establishment- of manufactories which would have a material effect on the future prosperity of the town and district.