EXPORT OF WHITE PINE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1924, Page 3

EXPORT OF WHITE PINE

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[by TKI-KOUAPH —l'KIl I'UKHS ASSOCIATION.]

WFLLfNGTON, July 2.’1

The necessity of ecnserviiig, not only the building timbers of New Zealand, hut also locally grown supplies which are used in connect ion with the pastoral industry, was stressed by a deputation from the National Dairy Association representing the dairying interests of the North Island which waited on Sir Francis Hell this morning. The deputation asked the Government to take into consideration the (piestion of prohibiting the export of white pine or kahikalea from the Dominion. A sympathetic reply was given by Sir F. Hell, the Acting Commissioner of State Forests during the indisposition of Sir Heaton Rhodes. Mr .Morton, Chairman of the Association, said he Imped the position in regard to the dwindling supplies of white pine would he relieved by' the importation of timber suitable for packing. The Forest Service estimated that at the present rate of cutting local white pine resources would he exhausted within Id years. The demands of the industry increasing ns production increased would soon double. Sir Francis Hell hoped that no one imagined he desired to see timbers exported. When ha was the l emmi.-* a sionpr of State Forests he had placed restrictions upon the export of while pine hut found himself up against the difficulty that he could not prevent the settlement of knhikatea lands which wore being burned off in large areas. In the northern districts it was impossible to prevent those areas being cut and burned. “I will have the matter carefully investigated,” said Sir Francis Hell, ‘•and see if we can define areas which the Lands Department will agree should he preserved from settlement and in which cutting can lie restricted.’ He was informed that 111 million tect of white pine had been exported last year against 5H million feet in 101-t. Ho would be glad if the Dairy Association could suggest the means to the Forestry Department whereby knhtkatea could he preserved for their ow« purpose without retarding settlement.’ Sir Francis Bell remarked, in conclusion, that they might imagine they were up against the sawmillers. Hut, that was not the ease: they were up against the settlers.