The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 1885. FOREST CONSERVATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 7, 6 June 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 1885. FOREST CONSERVATION.

Fiiom Wellington we learn that it is the intention of the Government to introduce into the House during- the approaching session a Forest Conservation Bill. The Rangiora Standard points out that this step is not being taken before it is absolutely needed. Everyone having the interest of the country at heart must be pleased to learn of the intention of the Government. For some time past the Government have had Professor Kirk inspecting the New Zealand forests for the purpose of seeing what can be done m the way of adopting some plan to conserve the timber of the couutry from being ruthlessly destroyed. The conservation of our forests has . ever been a pet hobby of Sir Julius Vogkl, and he was roughly handled when holding the Premiership of the Colony years ago for engaging the services ot a Captain CampbellWalkkk, who was on leave from the Indian service, and appointing that gallant officer Conservator of i\cw Zealand Forests. The appointment was certainly not a very good one, as there were plenty of men m the Colony at the time as there are now who were more conversant with our forests than the gallant officer m question. But Professor Kikk, who has lately been through the principal portion of both Islands, is one who has made this particular subject a special study, and m him Sir Julius Voukl has an able seconder m what is called his fores t!J mania. Travelling through both islands one is particularly struck with the evils likely to accrue from the destruction of the forests. Government go to great expense m encouraging the planting of trees, while our grand forests of totara, kauri, red and black pine, kawaka, and many more which can not be replaced for half a century, are v being destroyed. The management of our forests needs a special Act to be made for them. Thousands upon thousands of pounds worth of timber is destroyed annually by wantonness or carelessness, and apparently m ignorance of its value. Of the immense tracts of magnificent timber what care is taken of it from being ruthlessly destroyed. The Colony hardly realises the enormous wealth she has m her forests, and it is well that New Zealand has a man m its Government who believes that her timber should be conserved. In the North Tsland and on the West Coast of the South Island, what vast devastation is made every now and again by fire caused through carelessness. The State cannot afford to see its great wealth exhausted m the way it has been, and the Government are wise to adopt measures which will prevent the Colony's magnificent timber forests being destroyed. For years past, m different newspapers, the present writer has urged the incalculable importance of forest conscrvat : on as a duty which should occupy the most serious attention of the Legislature. On many occasions we have pointed out how rapidly our forests are being exterminated, and how that no steps are being taken to replant thedenuded areas, or conserve what is left. It may appear to some people that the matter is one of no great consequence. Those persons cannot have considered the subject sufficicvtly. The climatic effects alone are worthy of serious consideration, not to speak of the fact that at the present rate of consumption and waste, before many years timber

will in* as scarce as it is now abundant. We xx w>: the (jiK-stion \v i 1 1 receive that earnest and practical consideration at the hands of the Legislature which'ts importance demands, and which it should have received some yeara ago.