The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, March 20, 1909. A BIG AFORESTATION SCHEME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 20 March 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, March 20, 1909. A BIG A FORESTATION SCHEME.

An important scheme to utilise the services of the “ unemployed ” in a great work of national afforestation is prepounded in a report just issued by the British Royal Commission, on Coast Krosion. The question of the possibilities of afforestation and its bearing on the “unemployed” was referred to the Royal Commission in March of last year. The Commissioners find that “ The natural conditions of soil and climate in the United Kingdom are favourable to the production of high-class commercial limber, such as is annually imported into the country in very large quantities,” and that “ the afforestation of suitable lands in the United Kingdom, if undertaken on an adequate scale and in accordance with well recognised scientific principles, should prove at present prices a sound and remunerative investment.” As the Commissioners point out, afforestation is pre-eminently a task for the Slate ; continuity of ownership and management are assured, and the resources of the country allow of expenditure upon a scheme which, though it yields no immediate return, is ultimately distinctly remunerative. An instance of German torest management brought to the notice of the Commissioner by Professor Schlich may be mentioned. The State forests of Saxony in 1820 yielded 45 per acre, by 1850 the revenue had risen to 6s 4d per acre, and in iB6O to 1 os; by 1880 it was 17s 6d. Now it amounts to no less than 22s 6d of net profit per acre per annum over the whole of tlm kingdom. . This is a rise of 463 per cent in less than ninety years. According to its terms of reference, the Commission was required to consider the suitability or otherwise of unemployed labour for forestry work. Their general feeling is that much the greater proportion of the urban unemployed are unfit to undertake planting work. However, as the total number who would receive temporary employment would be only about 18,000 at the most, the Commissioners consider that a sufficient number of unemployed persons might be found “ willing to submit to and able to satisfy ordinary labour tests.” In addition, much permanent employment would be afforded. Phis would gradually increase as the area of afforestation was extended, until ultimately about 90,000 men would find occupation in the national forests. Another outlet for labour would eventually be found in industries such as wood pulp manufacture, and the conversion of timber works which at present are performed abroad- The Commissioners clearly state that they have “ in contemplation a scheme of national afforestation on economic lines.” i'hey do not advise that forestry be made an instrument of charity for the employment of those out ot work in cities. liven representatives of the Labour party, when giving evidence, insisted that forestry should not be treated as a “relief” work, but should be conducted on thoroughly sound business principles. In Part V of the report the Commissioners deal with the finance of the subject, and give estimates showing the detailed working of two alternative schemes of planting, together with the monetary results which may be anticipated, 'iakiug the larger of these schemes it is proposed that 9,000,000 acres of land be brought under forest. The Commissioners consider that no less than 6,000,000 acres could be found in Scotland alone.. _ Assuming that forests be established gradually during the next sixty years, 150,000 acres would be planted annually. In the early years the expenditure would be £ 90,000. This would increase gradually until at the maximum it would amount to about After the fortieth year, however, the torest would become self-supporting, and at maturity a net revenue of over £iy ,000,000 may be anticipated. At the same time the Slate would be in possession of property worth or after allowing for compound interest at 3 P er cent about in excess of the total cost involved in its creation.