OUR FOREST TREASURE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1928, Page 8

OUR FOREST TREASURE

LORD CLINTON IMPRESSED

CLOSE MANAG EM.ENT NE EDEID,

“Tho forestry work done in New Zealand .is very, fine indeed. Close mangement and proper cultivation is, neeesnry, and that will come. in ‘time,” said Lord Clinton. He was most impressed, he said, with the plantations of exotics at Kaingaroa, and everything appeared to have a healthy appearance. The magnificent indigenous forest in Westland, where areas cut 60,000 ft to the acre, also aroused the admiration of members of the party, who were familiar with the best stands in other countries. They were looking forward with keen anticipation to seeing more native trees in North Auckland, and. it was of importance, that they should be preserved. “New Zealand is contributing its share to Imperial forestation,” he added, “and it is probably. doing more than any other part of the Empire. Of course things are in their infancy as yet. It takes time for forests to develop, hut the planting seems to be along the right lines. We hope that the valuable indigenous forest may be preserved. They are too valuable to lose. There lias been colossal waste,' but we . cannot blame you for tihat.” Continuing, he explained' thajt there had been no State afforestation in Great Britain till after the war. ‘Every state in the Empire •however, was now taking some steps for the preservation and continuation of forests. An Empire forest policy was being evolved, and each unit had to do its share. There was no doubt ■that New Zealand was playing its part in this connection in ; soil’ wood cultviation. Referring to indigenous forests, he said a great deal had still to be done in taking out trees with care, so that the forest could be continuous. While the miller had no further interet in land once cleared/ the State should certainly adopt the' conservnton principle in working its own forests.

Questioned concerning the utilisation of waste ; timber Lord Clinton explained that, unlike Sweden, where waste was used extensively, New Zealand did not have a big firewood demand, which wins an important thing to cultivate. A good deal of waste went in pulp milking in other countries, and of course that might come to the Dominki'h'bn time, but a continuous supply of material was required. Lord Clinton was not prepared tb suggest any scheme for replanting in New. Zealand, and- lie pointed out that only the Government could say what was necessary in that direction. • » v • ~\