FORESTRY SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1929, Page 6

FORESTRY SERVICE

OFFJC FILS’ COXFHBENCE

WELLINGTON, March 18

Officials of the State Forest Service arc i.okling their eighth annual ctmtercnce in Wellington, and before dealing with the order paper they were, addressed hv heir ministerial head, the Hon W. B. Tavener, who made several important references to future developments. The Minister congratulated the Forest Service upon its very fine effort, both in the progressive establishment of the department during the past ten years, and narticuiarly upon the carrying out of the current year’s attainments, in which a record programme had been completed. 'The short period which had elapsed since he had taken over the four departments of Bail ways, Customs. Publicity and Forestry, had been quite inadequate to enable him comprehensively to examine all of the many and far-reaching problems which lay within those administrations, more particularly with respect to forestry. He desired, however, to-touch very briefly upon certain major aspects of immediate public interest.'

“The profitable utilisation of land,” continued Mr Taverner, “is a subject which lias a general application regarding the utilisation of pumice lands for afforestation purposes. As .1 .stated publicly at Mataniata.last month, while giving full credit to the State Fores Service for the remarkable re-, suits which have been achieved, it- is my intention to inaugurate a policy* of closer co-operation between the Departments of Lands, Agriculture and Forestry, which will have for its object a definite scheme of demarcation and utilisation with regard to different areas. The Government desires that every possible effort should he made to increase primary production, and I trust we will shortly be in a position to give details of a land policy which will enable increased settlement upon small holdings. This will involve, however, comprehensive classification as between the lands suitable for agricultural and pastoral pursuits and forestry. 'l'lie State Forest Service will there, fore confine its future activities'to areas which are not suitable for settlement. “The financial aspects of the activities of this-service are now under con-

sideration by myself and my colleagues,” continued the Minister. “The Government is anxious to do its utmost to promote forestry within the funds available, but in view, of the present condition of the Dqininionls finances and the necessity for devoting large stuns to agricultural finance, a full justification of. every . section of funds appropriated' for forestry purj poses will he essential. At this stage I ! am not in a position to make a definite ■ pronouncement as to the funds that can be made available, but a decision in this connection will he reached .in the near future. One of the 'functions of tlies gatherings is, L understood, to encarli region’s plans, areifully co-drdi.Hr-•tail his budget for the approaching year, with a view to ensuring that cue region’s plans are fully co-ordin--1 ated and formulated upon the basis of the minimum financial necessity. I would urge.' therefore, that it is the fundamental duty of every officer to ensure that the public is receiving full value for is expenditure, and 1 have no doubt, you will keep this aspect constantly in mind during the approaching year as your projects develop. Many other important aspects of policy and management, which I observe appear prominently upon your order paper, ; are now under review by the Govern- ’ ment, as, for example, wild life, sand , dune fixation, and management of lioth exotic and indigenous forests. With respect to wild life, I am advised there is a large field for investigation and adiusment, and it is questionable whether the present organisation societies, does not call for revision. The continuing encroachment of sand dune areas, particularly with respect to'the west , coast of the North island, is a further aspect which must receive early attention.”