The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1926.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1926.

1 afforestation. Pertinent inquiry was made liy Mr D. Jones, in the House of Representatives, as to whether the Commissioner of State Forests had investigated the prospectuses of a number of the afforestation companies that were starting in New Zealand. The Minister’s reply was a, very suggestive one. Mr Hawken stated that such investigations had been carried out, and it must lie said that in the initial stages it was very hard to follow their operations. Ho was considering legislation which would enable the Government to take particular care of the money invested in these undertakings. Great importance, remarks the Auckland “Star” attaches to the Minister's statement, for if the experts of his Department cannot discover exactly how the sums raised are being expended, the general public which has invested so largely will have no means of ascertaining whether their money is being spent to their best interests. From this very nature of the business the plantations are so remote that few of these who have subscribed will ever sere the forest upon which they have laid out their capital, and the need for strict supervision by the State becomes apparent. Especially is this the ease when the good name of New Zealand is so intimately involved. Large sums have been subscrilied by investors overseas for forestry projects: New Zealand’s financial record and high standing in the money market were probably factors which assisted the promoters, and it thus becomes the duty of the State to see that all the promises contained in the prospectuses are fulfilled to the letter. In such schemes everything depends upon the methods of planting aiul cultivation adopted, on the yearly ploughing of the fire-breaks to cheek outbreaks which might otherwise destroy the growth of years almost in a night, and upon the strict observance of otlvr protective measures. Regular inspection by qualified and disinterested officials with wido power is essential, and will no doubt lie welcomed by the promoters of the many afforestation companies which have entered the field during recent rears. The Minister’s own statement is conclusive proof of the necessity for legislation in this’ direction,, and it is to be hoped that Jie will introduce a Bill upon the lines indicated without

delay. As far ns the Coast is concorned there'is little of a practical nature being done with reference to afforestation, yet is of the highest importance that it should ho undertaken. The Forest Service is deriving much of its income from the Coast, and in the years to come the Coast will he its staple source of income. But it is not right that the Department should he taking all, and giving but little in return. AA'e do not know that the afforestation efforts so far. promise much, but in view of the great wealth being derived from the district more comprehensive work should be done in return. Planting should go on over a wider area, and with a greater variety of timbers. The Coast climate has proved its value for the native forest, and the district should he more used than it is in the way of extensive treeplanting. There are many hundreds of acres used by hv millers which should bo replanted without crelay.