CENTENNIAL TREE-PLANTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1939, Page 4

CENTENNIAL TREE-PLANTING

THE SEED OF NEW ZEALAND. “This season should show much progress with Centennial tree-planting projects,” remarks the Hon W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, in the “New Zealand Centennial News.” “Happily, in many districts, there are men and women with real zeal for trees. They are fully conscious of the blunders of the past in the destruction of beautiful native forests on steep watersheds —those forests which were protectors of fertile earth, ‘Nature’s bank,’ on the lower levels. Those enthusiasts are striving to make New Zealanders properly tree-minded for their own welfare. The instinct of self-preservation must induce New Zealanders to form strong enduring friendships with forests. “I am pleased to assure the active friends of trees that they will have the utmost co -operation of departments of State. The Government fully recognises the national importance of tree-saving and tree-planting in the control of erosion, which has become on the big problems of civilisation. “Education boards, school committees, and teachers are helping admirably to impress on children the vital importance of trees in the maintenance of national prosperity. “Another good movement is reported from Canterbury, where the Progress League is encouraging farmers to extend tree-planting on their estates for the benefit of themselves as well as the whole community. No doubt there will be similar plantings in other districts. A basic need of New Zealand and many other countries is planting of trees, more planting, and still more planting.”