“ STRANGLED BY PIES.”

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 246, 19 July 1928, Page 6

“ STRANGLED BY PIES.”

MATAMATA PERTURBED. Afforestation Operations. That councillors view the operations of certain afforestation companies with some alarm was evidenced at the last meeting of the Matamata County Council, following the receipt replies from the Prime Minister, the Commissioner of State Forests, and the Minister for Lands, to the council’s representations on the subject.

The Prime Minister promised careful consideration of the matter. The Hon. Minister for Lands stated he had been making enquiries into the matter, and that the classification of lands into areas suitable for farming and tree-planting would be de ~c with in a Liter communication. The Commissioner for State Forests stated -that he would consult with the [ Minister for Lands on the matter. -in discussing the question, Cr. Darby held that if the operations of certain companies were not checked Putaruru town would be strangled, for land was at present being bought for tree-planting which was potential dairying country. He thought that some people failed to take a long view in the matter and perhaps looked only at the money which was being spent at the moment. When this was finished, however, there would be no business. An Act of Parliament, which was intended to encourage tree-planting by granting exemption of taxation, was being taken advantage of by such companies which were exempt from rating on their capital value. In time, therefore, if they were allowed to plant trees on potential dairying

country it would result in a most severe loss in rates. The council knew the trouble that had been caused already by carting, and in future this would be aggravated and' the town of Putaruru strangled by a ring cf pines. There was one development alone which had saved New Zealand during the slump, and that was the dairying industry. It was therefore the council’s paramount duty to protect that industry if it could, tie invited drastic criticism of his statements and failing that expected the council to give him their emphatic support. Cr. Rollett: Have they exemption from the aggregation clause ? The chairman: I think that applies to individuals only. Cr. Allen stated that there was no doubt that they were faced with a most serious situation. A lot of land taken for tree-planting was suitable for dairying, and he strongly urged that the council should support the endeavour to get the land classified so that only land not suitable for dairying would be used for tree-plant-ing. There was plenty of the latter left in New Zealand, and he urged that the land would be classified.

The chairman agreed, and stated that the Government be approached to support the best man available to conduct a scientific investigation so that judging by the letters received the matter was evidently receiving ! keen attention in Wellington, but he thought that other suggestions would be helpful nevertheless. He felt that they should try and get an alteration in the Valuation Act which at present exempted afforestation companies from taxation. He moved in this direction, and suggested that only trees used for shelter belt should be exempted. i Cr. Darby seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.