AFFORESTATION OF SAND DUNES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2501, 2 November 1922, Page 3

AFFORESTATION OF SAND DUNES.

A most important plank in the Reform Party’s platform, the fnl' text of which appears elsewhere in this issue, of vital importance to this district is that which provides “for re-afforestation and the piantingkof sand dunes with suitable timber trees so as to provide for the future requirements for this country// The Government has already done some experimental planting in this district, but there yet remains untouched thousands of acres of sand drift country along this const, which could be successfully planted. For many years Messrs Field and Newman, M.’sP., have endeavoured to have this vast area of wast .• land reclaimed and planted and their efforts have in no small measure been responsible for the Government in- » eluding re-afforestation of sand dunes in their policy. The chairman of the Foxton Harbour Board, Mr J. Linldater, is also giving attention to the sand driftquestion as it effects the port. Within a mile or so of the wharf there are several big sand drifts, which empty millions of tons of . sand into the river annually, which is an obstacle to navigation. Now that the Government has definitely committed itself to this question,, local bodies should ao- - tively co-operate with the Forestry Department.