TIMBER SHORTAGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 41, 11 May 1927, Page 12

TIMBER SHORTAGE

U.S. TIMBER MAN’S VIEW WISDOM OF JAPAN “After observing forestry work in most parts of the world, I have come to the conclusion that the Japanese ;are adopting the most sensible policy,” said Mr. R. R. Streets, a timber man from California, who passed through Auckland this week on his way home from Australia. “The Japanese are conserving their forests, and in the meantime their timber wants are being supplied by other countries. When the time is opportune they will draw on their own resources, the value of which wil, of course, be immense.” AMERICA'S POSITION Reliance on American supplies he said was foolish, for that country imported as much timber as she exported at the present time. “This is a disconcerting feature. In the past the large forests have been mined, and not cropped. By this I mean no provision has been made for the future in the way of reafforestation. Pioneers have pushed ahead into new country and have been intent only in cutting out as much of the timber as they could.” WORLD SHORTAGE Mr. Streets considered that there would be no world shortage of timber “in our time,” but such a catastrophe was bound to come if a vigorous afforestation policy were not followed. “Far-sighted men realise the danger,” added Mr. Streets. “The American Government is greatly interested in the timber question, and there is a gradual movement to conserve the forests. In the meanwhile, the timber is being cut out faster than it is growing. In addition, there is a large amount of waste.”

Mr. Streets is interested in the Little River Redwood Company.