Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1908 EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9126, 22 April 1908, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1908 EDITORIAL NOTES.

THE present Ministry shows singular enthusiasm in {{extending the functions of Government in new fields which; in the opinion of not a pew are unsnited for Government action and displays an equal lack of energy in developing the resources of the country, in directions in which there is no dispute that work can be done far better by Government than by private persons. Forestry it is recognised by all is an enterprise which is better managed by Government than by private persons. The long period which must .elapse before the capital invested can produce returns and the necessity for carrying out plans formed fifty or a hundred years in advance practically preclude timber growing on a large scale from being carried out by individuals. The rapidly increasing scarcity of timber makes re-affores-tation an absolute necessity, but the Government has moved very slowly in the matter, and contented itself with putting a few prisoners to the work of tree planting. At first the work was of necessity of an experimental nature as it was uncertain what trees were best suited to our climate. At present, however, sufficient knowledge has been obtained to proceed seriously with the business, and a Ministry which prides itself so much on looking forward to the wants of the posterity should not hesitate to allot some of annual surplus to this purpose. The proposal would meet with no opposition though it might not serve to secure many doubtful votes. In Germany State forests have been managed on scientific lines for many years, and the income they yield is now becoming a valuable resource to the State. Twelve years ago the average annual profit per acre from German State forests had reached eleven shillings, a return which thoroughly justified the policy of buying suitable land

for planting. Between 18b7 , and 1892 the Prussian Forestry Department spent £1,125,000 in buying land at about £4 an acre on the average. A deferred profit of Us an acre on land costing under £4 is not an unfavourable result as the working expenses would be comparatively small. Wo think that the Farmers’ Union might well take up the question and urge Government to spend £IOO,OOO per annum in afforesting some of the poor lands owned by the State.

WE doubt whether more than a very small percentage of the people in this district have the least idea of the complete equipment which is being provided at the new Technical Schools. Many people are acquainted with the outer aspect of the schools, but in most cases they have not the assurance necessary to enter while teaching is in progress and request permission to see the school. We do not doubt tlsat they would receive a courteous welcome from the instructors, but such visits if too frequent would somewhat interfere with the work of the pupils. From personal knowledge we can state that the equipment of the Marton Technical School is far better than that existing a few years ago in the best English boarding schools, where fees are so high as to restrict the pupils to the sous of wealthy men. Through the'lavish expenditure on the part of Government facilities are placed at the doors of the inhabitants of country districts in the Dominion, equal on superior to those in any other part of the world. Yet the people seem so ignorant of their advantages that the attendance at the classes at the Marton School shows a serious falling off on that of last year when the classes were a novelty. We feel sure that the Board or the local Committee could do something to excite greater interest in the School. Whether some form of ‘at home’ on a Saturday afternoon or function in the evening would he the best means of acquainting the public with the facilities provided for cooking, carpentry, chemistry and other arts, must be left to the authorities to decide. That something must be done to stir Hie district from its apathy is obvious to the most casual observer.