N.Z’S AFFORESTATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1926, Page 4

N.Z’S AFFORESTATION.

— lll SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON IMPRESSED.

WARNING TO INVESTORS. AUCKLAND, Jan. 23. After a two weeks’ tour of the North Island, during which lie has investigated forestry prospects, Sir Douglas Maws on is returning to Australia. He has been accompanied by Sir Herbert Matthews, an English agricultural expert, who is on a forestry mission to the Dominion, and by Professor M. 11. Corbin, professor of forestry at the Auckland University College. ;Sir Douglas Mawson is directly interested in one of the largest afforestation companies in New Zealand, and during his visit he lias been examining its operations. On his return to Sydney he will report to the Australian shareholders and others on the result of his investigation. With the advanced state of the afforestation movement in New Zealand Sir Douglas has been much impressed. The Dominion, he says, is more active in this direction than Australia, and the total area artificially planted exceeds the area so planted in all the States of the Commomvoallli togcher. Naturally-grown softwoods had almost disappeared in Australia, although

large areas of naturally-grown hardwoods still remained to he dealt with. There were very considerable areas in Australia that would make good softwood plantations. AH things considered, New Zealand was particularly fortunate ; in fact, more so than Australia. With regard to the possibilities of timber production, almost any of the waste lands of the North Island appeared to he useful for the growth ol one or other species of softwoods. While on the- subject of commercial afforestation, he uttered a note _ot warning to intending investors. The forcstrv movement was booming m New Zealand at present, and it was only to he expected that some of the propositions put before the public would ho weak. “Even' the host kind of investment,” he said, “may fail through bad conception or bad management. and the- public would do well to make careful inquiries into such propositions before committing themselves.” The possibility of commercial afforestation's defeating its own ends through over-planting is discountenanced by Sir Douglas Mawson. If all the poorer lands in the country weie planted, he says, some such results might bo expected, but it is expected that large quantities of timber will be marketed in the big centres such as Sydney and 'Melbourne, moreover, Hie abundance of water power in New

Zealand is an important requirement for the production of wood pulp on a large scale, so it is not unlikely that a considerable portion of the Dominion’s timber yield will in future be marketed as wood pulp and paper. Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Herbert Matthews motored 1200 miles during their North Island tour. Sir Herbert will proceed to Rolnrua for a few days bclorc ictuiiiing to England.