FORESTS BILL.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1921, Page 2

FORESTS BILL.

SECOND HE A DIN'D DEBATE. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. 1 WELLINGTON, Nov. 23 The second rending of tho Forests i.ill occupied the Mouse this evening. .Meinhers had not much that was new 1 to say on the subject. They urged the importance of the protection of forests j on one hand, anil settlers and sawmillers on the other hand. The deflate t showed, its on other occasions, that ( there is some conflict between the Lands - Department and the Forestry Department and one may infer that at piesent the Lands Department is holding the-upper hand. ( Several members objected to the , weakening of the Bill by the Lands r Committee. They referred particularly ’ to the reduction of penalties for light- f ing lift's in State forests, and deletion | of the provision authorising forest officers to call upon all males to assist in ; lire lighting. The Minister for Lauds assured the House that the Bill was a workable measure and that it went quite as far as was considered advisable. He was ] willing to arrange for the measure to ( he referred to a Joint Committee after it reached tho Legislative Council if this was considered desirable. The Bill was read a second time. Mr Seddon (Westland) suggested that the Bill did not make sufficient provision for protecting the rights of the Local Bodies. An injustice had been d, )M e to his electorate by the reservation of large areas that otherwise would have paid Royalties. The Bill Stave too much power to the Government to ' legislate by means of Ordors-in-Council. > Miners were very anxious to know what provision was going to he made for the supply of the timber they required. They had been entitled in the past to . take timber from Crown lands for nuni *imr purposes, hut this privilege was ‘ being withdrawn, as far as the Slate \ forests were concerned. Mr Seddon added that the sawmilling industry deserved very fair coii- ' soleration. Thu sawmillers had considered the Bill carefully, hut uulorlinmtely the amendments they siiggcMcd had been shut out from cousidcra- ’ (■*,„ who* the Bill was before tho Lands * Committee. He trusted that a later opportunity would he provided tor <<'ii- * sideratio'n of these amendments.