STATE FORESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1927, Page 4

STATE FORESTS

MINISTER REVIEWS DEPARTMENT’S WORK.

WEULINGTON, Alay 2

Addressing the annual conference of officers of the State Forest Service last week, the Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon Air Hawken) said lie was very optimistic for the future work of the Department The sawmilling industry was experiencing the difficulties of the times, owing to various causes, which were now being investigated by the Government. Forestry was a longdeferred harvest, and that in a sense militated against securing public support for it. The general public was not quick to recognise the result to be gained in years to come lroin the systematic planting of trees.. Interlocked with afforestation was the utilisation of the waste lands ol Lho Dominion, and he was satisfied that much of the land in the country which was at present lying idle should be planted with trees. He considered that in years in come forestry would take a very prominent place in the industrial life of New Zealand, just as wheat-growing had become one of the principal industries of Australia. He hoped also' that when the country’s

finances improved up-to-date machinery would lie provided for the purpose of furthering tree-planting and tree

culture generally. Tiie forest plantations formed Inplanting during the past year totalled 23.065 acres, while 2438 acres had been sown by drilling and spot sowing. Since 4921, when the Department took control of forestry operations, 99,018 acres had been planted—a State record Lathe Biitish Empire. The objective sel down to be reached by 1935 was 300,000 acres A total of 4,822,000 trees had been sold during the year to private tree-growers, which was also a record for the British Empire. In addition to Lho work of the Sendee, about 50.000 acres bad been planted by other interests. The national forest fire losses have again established a record for New Zealand and for the Empire. Of a total of 7,656,838 acres of State forest, only 72 acres of forests were damaged by fire at a monetary loss of £l2. ‘

The year ahead, the Minister indicated, would he one of the severest economy. As with other Government Departments, the Forest Service must “cut its cloth’’ according to the current monetary resources of • the State. The principal immediate objectives of the Service would be the formation of 30,000 acres of forest plantation by planting, and the sowing of 5000 acres, and the evolution of ways and means to afforest the five million acres of idle Crown waste lands in the Dominion.