Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9th, 1920. THE WEEK

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9th, 1920. THE WEEK

Thk forestry question is of such value to Westland that no apology is necessary to-day for publishing a lengthy article on the forests of the Dominion. The article in question is by Mr W. H. Skinner, who lately retired from the Government service in \thich he held the position of Commissioner of Crown Lands. His duties make him familiar with much of the Dominion bush country, and his observation, it will be noted, has been keen. It is essential at this juncture when the country contemplates a forestry policy that New Zealand should make n sound beginning. It is essential to recognise that our tracts of forest country, great even as they still are, are being eroded by settlement and industry, and there is the need for replenishing the supply so that those who come after will not be without adequate supplies of timber which are so essential to civilisation. Indeed looking to the demands of the future it is not merely a question of maintaining supplies, but also increasing supplies of home grown timbers. The authorities, it is believed look very optimistically to the Coast with Regard to future timber supplies for the Dominion. The district generally is regarded as the most suitable in New Zealand for reafforestation, and this being so, and regarding the vast quantities of timber which posterity will need, it will be recognised that treeplanting must become a great industry hereabouts. Mi 1 Skinner’s article deals with the question of tile most suitable kinds of trees for reafforestation. Heretofore tiie Government has received a good deal of advice founded largely on theory as to what should be done with our forests in the way of conservation, and the steps which should be taken regarding the replanting of *ative tiees. To denizens of West. Coast forest country. a good deal of the inforrna m'l published tool the Subject seemed to border on the grotesque, and cerium of the matter has been held up tc public ridicule. So much for the theories of the imported adviser.

Mr Skinner’s opinion on growing native trees may be taken as some definite authority, and any suggestion that native trees should be planted as a business proposition .for future use, seems to be disposed of finally. However the country has now at its disposal Captain Ellis who is th e holder of credentials entitling his opinions to every respect. He is setting about- the inauguration of a forestry policy. We seem to know hut. little about it here, the place where his operations should be most largely centred. Ijt appeafs that for a better understanding of the position, Mr .Ellis .should be invited to visit the Coast and undertake a lecturing tour to awaken the people to a sense of the economic importance of timber growing. In other parts of the Dominion we notice, Mr Ellis has been giving public -addresses, and here where so much of the work of the future lies, the people should lie enlightened to the fullest extent. While the country will look to the Government to direct the policy of reafforestation, and to lead in the actual work itself, the. crops promise to be so profitable and so essentia] that local bodies and private individuals should be induced to take up tree planting. There are many

waste places where tree planting could be undertaken, subject to proper advice from the director as to the .right treatment for the ground, and the most suitable class or classes' of trees for afforestation. N/o one supposes that the Dominion will be able to maintain its supplies of, timber even with the widest possible extension- of forest reserves as lately secured The planting of trees must go on with more vigour than it has ever done before, and no one can read Mr Skinner’s paper without realisng that the planting of suitably chosen trees under proper conditions is a profitable investment, not only for local bodies, but also for private persons. Captain Ellis, the new Director <>f Forestry, has stated that, from Ill's observations since he lias been in the country, lie is convinced that our climate, with its plentiful rainfall and temperate character, is particularly suit ed for the growth of trees, and those who have taken any interest in the matter will thoroughly agree with him. There are not many enthusiasts about regarding the subject of‘tree planting in a district where forests have surrounded us always. But there is the need for interest in the subject, and if Mr Ellis would come amongst us and } stimulate that interest he would be 1 taking the first long stride towards a I genuine reafforestation scheme along the West Const.

According to the cables this week Bolshevism is waning in Russia-and materialising in ItaJjy. In Russia Bolshevism is being found out—weighed in tbe balance it lias been found wanting—and! it will lie supplanted bv something more stable. Italy with all her great traditions of the past, might have been thought to be immune from the microbe of Bolshevism, but the war haJs had so upsetting an effect on humanity that nothing appears impossible. The European nations were all more or less shell-sliocked during the war, and their terrifying experiences have produced an abnormal condition which at times leads to great excesses. The riotous conduct and beliavioulr lias to run its course. There .were serious outbreaks of it in Germany whose state at one time seemed to lie almost impossible of redemption. Now little or nothing i« i heard of German unrest—and no r< ws I in this respect is certainly good now j On the contrary, the German news i we are .are getting indicates a- return jto industry and reorganisation which j promises speedily ,to lift the country ahead to a position analogous with. its great resources. In the war, Germany was a shocking example to be avoided-. In peace she promises to be an example to imitate in industry, thrift and rejuvenation. Before the war Germany had great opportunities to rise in commercial affluence She still lias those potentialities behind her, and the>re ar e signs that she is using them. It is natural that following the great up brav-d of the war period that some nations will recuperate quicker than others. Germany appears to be on the high road to speedy recovery already, and what she is accomplishing in that respect is a lesson for the rest of the world. Britain has evidently got to face a. cold winter because of the unemployment brought about by the high cost-of production, as against the lower cost of competing nations. Germany is one of the latter, and our late enemy promises to give the nation another lesson affecting stern ......uf;,, o ~f and national being.

President Wilson having entered the lists as an advocate for the acceptance of the Peace Treaty and the adoption of the League of Nations covenant gives quite a new turn to the Presidential election in the United States. The contest will now be confined to a definite issue, an issue which affects the "hole world. Mr Wilson puts is to the nation very plainly—“Do you want the nation’s honour vindicated?” he asks, and the result of the election will blithe answer to the question. Mr Cox stands for tiie treaty and covenant, with certain reservations. Mr Harding is on the other sde, and he will have to put up a great fight to win against such odds. The cable message adds some comments on the general situation, It says Mr Wilson’s direct appeal makes the League questions the real and only issue of the campaign, which is already held to be remarkable for its bitterness. To those outside of the United States and onlookers of the struggle, it would appear that Mr "Wilson by reminding the people of the real issue at stake is doing his country genuine service. America’s possible participation in the war was tardy up to a certain point, and her entry was somewhat overdone as a matter of fact, but thereafter America played the part of the big brother in a style quite acceptable. Having entered fully into the fray, the United States Government prepared to play a conspicuous part in the settlement of peace. For the first time in history a President departed to Europe, pnd we all know what a prominent part Mr Wilson played. The League covenant was largely his concoction, and without his influence it would never have been accepted in the form it was. It was to be assumed thereafter that the contracting parties would be in honor bound to ratify what their ambassadors had compiled in good faith. Mr Wilso'n’s serious illness, unfortunately, put him outside of politics for a while, and his political opponents in the States seized the opportunity to their own advantage. Some hard things have been said of America, because she “quitted” at the crucial moment, and her absence from the Allied Councils has entailed much bloodshed in Europe. Mr Wilson’s re-appearance and his vitalising influence will help to redeem the position, and if lie leads his country back to the fold he will accom- 1 plish the crowning act of his great 1 career. * 1

The strictures on Queenland’s policy by an English newspaper is not very flattering to Labour Government rule. The Premier (Mr Theodore) returned from Britain a- very disappointed man, because he could not raise the millions as he wished. The legislation of his party was in question, and not giving the guarantees required of him, he found financial circles closed to him. On his return to the State, lie proceeded to raise money locally, and he added a statement of policy that “the Government would appropriate dividends won in the State due to outside investors.” This the English paper styles “the naked methods of the highwayman.”

It is an' unfortunate policy to follow, and it will be an incident not easily effaced from the minds of the British money-lenders. Other States in Australia are in need of money, and would ' he on the London market now if the opportunity were there. The market I is no' favourable, and it will be move I unfavourable still with the Queensland | policy revealed. Least of all will any Labour government secure a. footing in the world’s money markets, unless there is a full guarantee regarding bona tides to the outside investor. Queensland of course, should be able to take care of herself, but the objectionable point is the reflection of her conduct on other oversea dominions. The Labor Government of New South Wales will feel the pinch caused by the action of Queensland. In fact all the States of the Commonwealth will, unless the States are ruled with sanity and better judgment than marks the Government of Queensland. The situation is an example of where Extreme Labour will land an;y country it seeks' to rule with the crude ideas of inexperience which its leaders offer for a national policy. In most cases the yoke of responsibility has a restraining influence, but there are cases which are the exception, and at the moment Queensland presents the misfortunate exception. Labor under extreme leadership has a lot to learn before it can rule with even a sense of fair play.