The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1921. STATE FOREST SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1921. STATE FOREST SERVICE.

The predominant feeling with which the Forestry Bill (the second reading of which was moved by the Hon. D. H. Guthrie in the House on Tuesday) will be received by all who realise the gjeat importance of conserving and controlling the rapidly diminishing timber assets of the Dominion, will be that even at this late stage it will be welcome. It is a measure the general principle of which should have been in operation for two or three decades, for had its main provisions been in force for that period there would not be the outcry that has long been heard against the lamentable and irreparable waste that has occurred. To-day the country is paying the penalty for the absence of such legislation as is now proposed, not only in the high price for timber, but in the advent of a most, serious position in regard to future supplies, while the destruction that has taken place where conservation was most essential, has injuriously affected production, and in many ways caused loss, direct and indirect. It may seem somewhat anomalous that, at a time when financial stress has necessitated drastic retrenchment, that an expensive department should be created, but in reality it is only a matter of extending and amplifying the present machinery under which the forests of the country are administered, while the larger powers of control, especially in determining the areas to be worked each year by the sawmillers, and in protecting standing bush from fires, both for clearing and other purposes, should prove of great benefit. Breaches of the law in this respect will entail heavy penalties, but if, as sometimes happens, the offenders are working men possessing no financial resources beyond what they can earn, a heavy penalty will not meet the case, unless it is made a charge on the land. There is not only to be a separate Forestry Department, but also an advisory board, presided over by [ the' director, the members being representatives of the employers and workers in the sawmilling industry, the distributors of forest

produce, also of associated interests in forestry, the scientific side being entrusted to a professor of forestry at the University, who will be the expert adviser. Apparently the Minister will be the eonnecting link between Parliament and the board, but why there should be both a department and a board is not easy to understand, especially in view of the present need for consolidation and the avoidance of duplicating officials. It would seem that the. functions of the department would be to define and carry out matters of policy, while the board will attend to the practical matters connected with timber. The scheme is not lacking costly elaboration, even to including a secretary for the Department and another for the board. Surely it would be advisable that there should be only one secretary, and thus avoid the senseless and wasteful praetiee'of circumlocution, besides the troubles arising from divided authority. It is satisfactory to note that the Government proposes to obtain power under the Bill to purchase private land required for State purposes, and to carry on industries connected with the production and distribution of timber or other produce from forests. A general power of this description is sufficiently wide to satisfy the most ardent. Socialists, and would enable the State, at any time, to eliminate the sawmillers, timber merchants and others now engaged in the timber trade. The object of this provision may be to enable the department, to pay its way. As an economical proposition it is sound and practical, provided the right methods are adopted, but it is doubtful whether the power will be used except as a last resort. The main cause for satisfaction is that steps are to be taken to control timber cutting, prevent waste, and institute a system that should be of very great benefit to the Dominion. If the main aim is achieved, the expense involved will be justified, provided there is no extravagance and the right men are appointed for the work. In the discussion which took place, attention was called to the loss that would be inflicted, on some local bodies in the matter of rents and royalties. That is a matter which can easily be adjusted, as can the question of taking endowment lands. As to timber for mining purposes, there is no reason why any special concession should operate for that work any more than for other ventures. The question of prohibiting the export of kauri to Australia is quite another matter, inasmuch as it might lead to the Federal Government retaliating by prohibiting the export to the Dominion of hardwood. Admittedly it i g ® x_ tremely desirable that the remainder of the kauri bush should be preserved for the requirements of New Zealand. At the same time, there are special factors that have to be considered in the light of policy. It is quite likely that the Bill will be materially improved in committee and its defects removed. In the main it is worthy of commendation, and should materially assist in. solving a problem that urgently needs attention.