The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, JAN. 13th, 1922. EMPIRE FORESTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, JAN. 13th, 1922. EMPIRE FORESTRY.

As a result of England’s experiences during war-time in regard to supplies of timber, an influential Empire Forestry Association has been established. The object “was to federate into one central organisation the voluntary associations and ;indivldluals interested in the growth, marketing, and utilisation of timber throughout his Majesty’s Dominions. Forestry' was peculiar inasmuch as Governments, voluntary .organisations, 'and individuals, could most usefully co-operate in regard to it, and the Association should pro' e to be a valuable intermediary between them. Sylviculture with all its subsidiary manufacturing processes, was the most perennially wealth-producing and employment-giving industry. At the recent annual meeting in "London, from which the foregoing quotation has been made, Mr E. Wood, M.P., spoke very interestingly. He pointed out how theie could be an inter-Empire trade development in timber. He said that in Canada there wore some 250 million acres of timber and in the Crown colonies and protectorates about 4"00,000 square miles of timber suitable for sawing. Those figures were almost staggering, and he suggested that it was largely because of the immnsity of the scope thus indicated that the Empire had been so backward in developing its resources. These were days of great economic stringency and if an individual or a nation had economic resources capable of development the best way to meet the stringncy was to go in for prudent, well-considered plans of d* velopment. It was amazing how large a proportion of the timber in everyday economic use in this country came, from countries outside the British Ein-

pile and how unnecessary that sta of things was. He whole-heartedly b

lievod m the policy of developing the use of Empire-grown timber within the Empire. However highly experience of the past or hopes of the future—so powerfully stimulated by the Conference ait Washington—might lead us to rate international co-operation, ho had always believed that the only basis for sound, sane, and health international co-operation was vigorous life i» tho co-operating communities. It behoved the British Empire to apply it self with vigour and foresight to the great problems of making the most of its resources. This lino of argument indicated a sensible view of the possibilities and is in contrast to the New Zealand policy of restriction, and conservation, The Government here are closing markets of the Empire to New Zealand timber and even Australia is being barred as a customer for Dominion. The motion adopted at the Association meeting above referred to was on the lines of Mr Wood’s speech, namely: “That, in the opinion of this meeting, a determined effort is needed to secure the early extension in all countries of the British Empire of a constructive forest policy, securing tho natural sylvan resources for the mutual benefit of the British Commonwealth of nations.” Westland of all places in the Dominion is primarily interested in the forestry policy adopted, and a area ter interest should be taken in its development. On present lines it is going to seriously affect the immediate future of the district. This should not he at a time when there is a need lPr indsutrinl expansions. Never before was the country so much involved financially and if is only by work and production that the credit of New Zealand can be relieved. Yet in this crisis the -forestry policy restricts trade and export, harrnsses the enterprising producer, and serious curtails avenues for profitable employment. The situation is growing more and more acute and the fallacy of the present uneconomic policy will soon reveal itself, for our forestry wealth is so great, that an ever present asset of such proportions should be realised on without delay for the amelioration of the financial position of the country now growing more and more grave.