DOMINION FORESTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1922, Page 8

DOMINION FORESTS.

NEED FOR CONSERVATION. HEAVY WASTE IN PAST, THE RECREATIONAL ASPECT. Forestry and the importance of educating the people in this subject, formed the .basis of two addresses delivered to the Wellington Rotary Club last week, by Messrs D. R. Hoggard and Arthur Seed. Mr. L. Macintosh. Ellis, Director of the State Forest Service, occupied the chair. Mr. Hoggard stated that it had been estimated by competent authorities that at the foundation of the colony some 40,000,000 acres were bush-clad. Of this 20,000,000 acres —or one-half of the total—consisted of bush which would have a commercial value if it were now in existence. However, commercial pusposes were not the -only uses of forests. Forests preserved and regulated streamflow; maintained climatic stability; maintained the productiveness of adjacent lands; beautified the country and, perhaps most important of all. they provided recreation grounds of the utmost possible value. The recreational value of our indigenous forests was not sufficiently realised. Their recreational advantages should be exploited for the benefit of the rising generation of .boys. “Let our boys spend their vacations in our glorious bush instead of in our* dingy streets, and an immense improvement will take place both in the physique and in the character of the rising generation,” said Mr. Hoggard. “I have already stated that at the foundation of the colony we had 40,000,000 acres of forest. What is ’there left of that noble heritage? Our forest surveys are not yet complete, but T can safely state that only ten or twelve million acres now remain. The axe and the torch have done for the rest.” MAN-MADE WILDERNESS. The clearing of good agricultural and pastoral lands was necessary for the development of the country, and was fully justified, but, nevertheless, millions of acres had been denuded «of bush without the slightest justification. Within a radius of 40 miles of Wellington, there was an aka of 140,000 acres of manmade wilderness quite incapable of carrying stock at all. Gn a conservative estimate there was in New Zealand a total area, of two million and a-half acres of man-made wilderness, incapable of carrying stock. In addition to this area *there was a large area of land carrying some stock, but the carrying capacity of which was insufficient, to justify its having been cleared. It would" have been more valuable in bush. Then there was a further area of hill country which, though apparently in profitable occupation, had been brought into pasture —often very indifferent pasture—at the cost of untold ramage of rich agricultural lands upon the plains.

COMPARISON WITH EUROPE. Of the «forest area still left, only 5,000,000 acres could be. classed as commercial forest. New Zealand’s total area was 6'7,0'00,000 acres. Five million acres were covered with commercial forests, that was to say, 7A per cent. Compare that figure with:—France’s 18| per cent.; Norway’s 21 per cent.; Germany’s 26 per cent.; Sweden’s 48A per cent"; Finland’s 54 A per cent. New Zealand’s unfavourable showing in comparison with European countries was sufficiently striking, but the position was even worse than the figures indicated for the’ reason that European forests were managed upon proper silvicultural lines, while New Zealand forests had not. been managed at all. It was apparent that New Zealand was drifting fast toward, forest bankruptcy, and it- was imperative that immediate and drastic measures should be taken to stop this drift. The prospect of a timber famine was sufficiently startling, but to think of our beautiful country being converted into a bleak, treeless, waste, was a prospect which simply "appalled. THE MOST IMPORTANT NEED. The most important need at the present time appeared to be a forest expert, rnent station where exhaustive investigations could be made as to the best methods of regenerating and managing the indigenous forests? Practically nothing was being done in this diection. The sum of £2600 had been placed upon the Estimates for the purpose, but that sum is hopelessly inadequate,, and it yas in any event not likely to be expended. The Forestry League had been formed to fight the hattie for our forests. It needed members and it needed funds for propaganda. “Ou behalf of the league I appeal to you for your support, eoneluded Mr. Hoggard. Mr. Seed said that in forestry such * broad and loner outlook had to be taken that primarily it. was naturally the proper concern of the State, and to ensure that any Government of the day would do full measure of justice t-> a cause ot such wide application a strong public opinion was necessary to provide the needed driving .force. Though a Forest service was established, this service required support, and much yet required to be done before even breathing space could safely be taken in this question of such vital import to the well-bein; of our country and our race. Hcpce tile need of a strong and virile Forestry League.