FOREST SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1927, Page 4

FOREST SERVICE

KTATF. PLAXTIXG C OSTS. "On October B,’’ said Mr \V. McArtliiir, of Auckland. who is president el the Xew Zealand Timber Growers' Association, to a 11 Dominion " (Wellington) reporter on Saturday. " I drew attention to tlie difference in the figures between the published statements as to the cost of establishing one acre of State forest plantations, and tiic audited accounts as contained in tlie forestry report for the year ending Mayt'li 31, 1927.” M.r McArthur reiterated his previous statement, and said that the Press reports, based on a graph appearing in the State Forest Service report, claimed that the average cost of establishing one acre of forest was Cl 19s per acre for tlie four-year period 1921-27, while 1 the statement of accounts appearing in the appendix of the report disclosed an average cost for that period of ,£(> 2s per acre, exclusive of land and interest, making a total discrepancy of £224,97(5 for (lie period. Should a hoard .of directors present to its shareholders a report containing such conflicting statements, the .shareholders would unquestionably express their lack of confidence in the directors. said Mr McArthur. “ The State Forest Service,” he proceeded, “ is a trading concern, and its shareholders, i.e., the Xew Zealand taxpayers, are entitled to a full explanation of such a discrepancy as is contained in the forestry report, and to know if the Department can substantiate its claim to economy in the conduct of its operations.”