AFFORESTATION AT OROUA DOWNS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2612, 28 July 1923, Page 2

AFFORESTATION AT OROUA DOWNS.

PLANTING THE SAND DUNES PARLIAMENTARY INSPECTION * URGED. The member for Ofaki (Mr W. H. Field) in conjunction with the member for the district (Mr J. Linklater) have lately urged upon the Commission of Forestry the advisability of interesting members of Parliament in tl.. work tI«..L being carried out by the Fo:c try Department on the Government reserve at Oroua Downs. With' that end in view, Mr Field asked in the House, whether the Commissioner would make arrangements for members of Parliament who are interested in sand dune work, to visit the localitv with a view to inspecting the work being done there.

Speaking to that question in the House on "Wednesday night, Mr Linklater said he was pleased to know that the Commissioner had replied that this would be arranged if the business of Parliament would permit. He hoped such a visit could be arranged because very interestex peri mm is were now being carried cut in the Rangitjkei district in the sand dune areas. He had had the privilege recently of visiting the locality and of seeing‘the experiments. The work undertaken had demonstrated that sand dunes could be controlled and made suitable for the growing of valuable timber trees which would prove of great value in the coming years. The importance of afforestation of such land to New Zealand must- be apparent to all when they realised that there was no less than 300,000 acres of sand-dunes on the west coast of this Island which was of very little use and this area, if planted, instead of being worth only a few shillings an acre, as it is now. would, if .suitable trees were planted, he worth many hundreds of pounds per acre in the future. Mr Linklater said the Government was undertaking a great national work because it not only aimed to provide timber for future needs but also stopped the menace of sand drifts covering valuable grazing land. He hoped that hon. members would avail themselves of an opportunity of visiting this district if circumstances would permit.