RE-AFFORESTATION

Southland Times, Issue 18822, 15 May 1920, Page 5

RE-AFFORESTATION

ADDRESS BY CAPTAIN ELLIS.

AN INTERESTING DISCOURSE.

Captain Ellis, recently appointed Director of the New Zealand Forestry Department, arrived in Invercargill last evening, accompanied by the secretary, Mr Turner. Yesterday afternoon the visitors were welcomed at afternoon tea by the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce, the Borough Council and the Southland League. Mr T. Brook, chairman of the Southland Land Board, was' also present. Mr J. Gilkrson presided, and in introducing the visitors, congratulated Captain Ellis on his appointment. He expressed pleasure that they had come to Southland for the purpose of making an inspection of the forest lands, as the forests in Southland were becoming so rapidly depleted as to cause grave fears for the future. If the visitors could enlighten them in any way in regard to the protection of the existing forest lands and on the question of reafforestation, Southland would be greatly indebted to them. If those present could give their guests any assistance in carrying out their work, he felt sure that they would willingly do so. Mr A. W. Rodger, chairman of the Southland Power Board, also welcomed the visitors to Southland. The Southland League, he said, had frequently discussed the question of afforestation, and recognised the importance of providing for the future. The League was at present employed on new ground, cutting timber for the electric power scheme, but it was anxious to make good any damage caused to the forest by that means. He would like Captain Ellis to advise him how re-afforestation could be carried out in that part. In reply Mr Turner stated that he was very gratified to find such great interest being taken in forestry. It was one of the great -questions with which the country would be faced in the near future, as the forests in New Zealand were fast disappearing. A Forestry Department had now been established, largely through the influence of Sir David Hutchins, and Captain Ellis, who had had wide experience in Canada, the United States and Scotland, had been appointed director. Captain Ellis understood milling in all its phases, and could talk on that subject with any man ia New Zealand. After he had had time to become acquainted with the various parts of the country it would probably be found that definite steps would be taken to meet the growing needs in this respect. The forests of New Zealand had been used very extravagantly. In Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Canterbury the forest lands were almost entirely used up, while a large part of Otago and Southland had very small areas on which to rely for future supplies. It was very necessary, therefore, that the forest lands should be placed under trained management. Captain Ellis stated that he also appreciated the interest the people of Southland were taken in the matter. Before making any definite statements, and before placing any proposals before the Minister, he wished to gain an intimate knowledge of the conditions which ruled in all parts of the Dominion, and it was for that reason he was making the present tour. Afforestation was a business ,and if it did not pay it should not be carried out. He not only wanted to perpetuate the use of the existing forests, but he also dejred to establish new forest lands from which the country could draw the interest. Unfortunately the forests had been cut out in such a way as to make re-afforestation difficult, and the question of conserving the present forests by an improved system of cutting was one which he had under consideration. Although Southland was one of the largest timber producing provinces in New Zealand, all its timber land was gradually being lost, and unless it was intended to let the industry die out new lands would have to be obtained. He understood (hut there were many areas which, while not suitable for agriculture, would be valuable timber land. The Department did not want land suitable for growing crops, it wanted land which would grow trees and only the best of trees. The question of future supplies for this country could only be solved by the amount of timber grown here. Outside supplies were almost exhausted except perhaps in Siberia, but the freight on timber from that part of the world was too high to make its importation profitable. It would be necessary to make a forest survey of thi) whole country, and so gain definite information to work on. To follow a definite plan the management would also require to have trained men and a School of Forestry should be established immediately. The Department should draw from each district the men who would work in that district and they should also be drawn from the milling industry. The protection of native timber was also most important and in some districts the problem was becoming a very serious one because of the destruction by fire caused through carelessness. It would be the endeavour of ihe Department to educate the public to appreciate the rerourers of the country. He understood that timber was being cut all over New Zealand at a profit, but economically a lot of timber was being lost and the Department wished to do away with that. The utilisation of milling waste and the dislillation of the tannin extract should be given careful consideration, and it was hoped that some practical solution of the difficulty would be reached. Without the interest of the people, however, the work of the Department would he unavailing. The asistance of public bodies would be invaluable, and he believed that by co-opera-tion both sides would receive great benefit. He hoped later on to come to them with definite proposals, and that they would be the moans of bringing about a closer relation between the Department and the local bodies represented. The formation of a branch of (lie New Zealand Forestry League was discussed, but on the advice of Mr Turner it was decided first to obtain the rules end regulations of the League and to call a meeting at a later dale.