FORESTRY DEPARTMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1928, Page 1

FORESTRY DEPARTMENT

COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDA-

TiONS

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, October 24

The Committee set up by the Empire Forestry Conference, in its report, recommends that steps he taken as rapidly as circumstances will permit, U complete the process of reservation of indigenous forests where needed to prevent, erosion or to have scenic value, such areas should be under the administration of the State Forests Service, for economy, and efficient management. Willi regard to timber forests the question has to he decided as there is a possibility olf .regenerating native trees or whether exotics will prove o! greater economic value. The policy oi planting exotics on pumice lands is wholly approved. Plantations that want thinning work should be done at least everv ten years.

The staff of the Forestry Department is considered too small tor the present needs and in view ol the programme facing the Department, an increase b desirable, with salaries to attract tic right type of man. RLMIi SHOULD BE RETAINED.

The report deals will) the marketin',' of New Zealand timbers. There aic very few timbers suitable for the English' market, says the report, and no doubt in’the near luture the Dominion!will require all their home grown woods. For kauri, if is suggested there will still he a limited demand where large siaes of clean wood are required. In spile of the tirontiy increased cost “ riimi.” says the report, was introduced on the English marked many years ago, but was not lav.mrablo received. owing to other woods o' similar character lining sold at a mile, lower price. This wood should he Imp in the Dominion and not exported, a New Zealand will require all that can ho produced for furniture and interior fittings of houses. Samples ol beech woods were sent to the Imperial Institute a few years ago and reported on but owing to the price being so much ~bovo English beech no market could be (found. However, both ol these ac useful woods and may Jiml a market m Emdaml for special purposes, such as motor-ear bodies, etc. H' every efori is made to produce as much clean Dm ],er as possible, suitable lor joinery work Pi tins Radiata will meet wit <>Toat success. The knots being mostly sound and ample supply of flooring boards can be produced to replace the imports of Scots pine, from Europe One feature against the exporting <u New Zealand woods lo the English market is the very high Hreighl of per 100 superficial feet which until re ! eently was los.