Sawmilling Section.

Progress, Volume XVI, Issue 1, 1 September 1920, Page 16

Sawmilling Section.

[This Section is published by arrangement with the Dominion Federated Sawmiliers’ Association (Incorp.) in the interests of the Sawmilling Industry of N.Z.] * Editor : W. T. IRVINE. '

The comprehensive Forestry Report prepared by Captain L. Macintosh Ellis, Director of Forestry, has been laid upon the table of the House and contains maps, graphs* and diagrams, together with typed matter covering about 130 foolscap pages. It starts Out by shbwing the World’s Forestry resources, comparing other countries with our own Dommon, and proceeds to elaborate the case for a forest policy, with recommendations as a basis for legislation which include, — Timber sale policy and procedure. Technical Forest training. Forest investigation and research. Inventory and classification of the forest resources, forest lands, and soils of New Zealand. Classification of agricultural and non-agri-cultural lands on state forests etc. Forest lands of the Natives. State forest extension! Extension of forests by effort other than the State. Forest protection problems. Grazing within State forests. It then goes on to discuss “Forest Acts” and Forest Finance, also a suggested programme for the first five years period. There are four proposed conservation regions in the South Island and - three in the North Island, each having Conservation Headquarters and District Headquarters, with responsible administrative officers attached. It is pointed out that no reliable data with regard to our forest rcso{irces t -..has ever been prepared, but that the Royal Commission on Forestry, 1913, had before it an estimate of 33,060*883,600 as being available on our indigenous forests in 1909, and that in 30 years’ time (1943) very little timber would be left at the then rate of consumption, unless steps were taken to conserve our resources. Captain Ellis is, however, of opinion the available supply will greatly exceed 35,000,000,000 superficial feet and that where to-day only 25 per cent of the ligneous material per acre is used in industry, in a few years’ time this utilisation will probably be nearer 65 per cent. Within a generation it is estimated the population will probably exceed five millions and on the basis of a consumption of 200 feet per head, one thousand million feet would be required annually for our own needs.

World statistics, it is pointed out, clearly go to show a steady increase of wood consumption, and there are only three countries at present which, can increase their exports without lessening their forest capital, viz: Russia, Sweden, and Finland. Re-

viewing '.the principal timber-growing countries throughout ■" the-, world, and the future outlook, Captain Ellis concludes that, "We must either go without essential timber supplies to the great hazard of our national safety and perhaps with sacrifice of our industrial prosperity, or we must take immediate steps tc assure ourselves an .adequate.'supply < . Home-grown timber which is perfectly practicable to-day."

With regard to the sale of standing timber, the present methods of disposal are condemned, and lead to waste and public loss. What is termed the severance tax on royalty does not keep pace with the increasing value of the raw material, and no provision is made for the State to increase the value of the standing timber, as the selling value of the manufactured article appreciates. This he would remedy and provide for a sliding scale on the lines adopted by British Columbia where 25 per cent of the increased selling price is added to the royalty payable in the first 5 years, rising by increments of ,5 per cent, to 40 per cent, for the last 5 year period. The cubic foot is advocated as the standard system of measuring timber in the log, as has been adopted by France, G-ermany, Norway, Sweden, India, South Africa, United States etc., etc. The report unreservedly advises that a Forest training centre should be established in New Zealand without delay , and that a chair of forest engineering and a State Ranger School should be attached to one of our colleges, which would provide amongst other things, a four years’ course to train men as logging and milling engineers. Special courses could also be given in such subjects as:— “ Pulp and paper making. Dry Kiln engineering and ply wood manufacture. Timber grading. ■ Management of farmers’ wood lots. Timber appraisal. Forest utilisation. Forestry for civil engineers. Distribution and marketing forest products. Wood distillation and extraction. Forest nursery practice and tree planting. Among the problems referred to as of great economic value for investigation are stated:— The wood borer-means of combat and control. The fixation of sand dunes, and the utilisation of the 500 square miles of sand dunes in New Zealand. Development of farm forestry. Incidence of taxation on timber lands. Effects of forest climatically on various parts of New Zealand.

The investigation and study of the relative pulping value of our Native woods is strongly urged, to avoid the great waste that might be profitably utilised in the manufacture of wood pulp, paper, and ply wood, as every effort should be made to establish the pulp and paper industry in New Zealand. Wood distillation should also be studied in view of the probable shortage of petrol. In view of the guesses that have been made from time to time, no reliable data being available, regarding our forest resources, provision must be made for a definite stock taking and the following information collected. Statistics of past, present and future timber requirements. Extent of standing forest on Crown, Native, and private lands. General rate of growth of all species! Means of natural and artificial regeneration. Forest fire protection standards for each region. Classification of forest soils and suitability for forestation or agriculture. Captain Ellis strongly urges closer co-operation between the Government, the sawmilling industry, and the public, in place of the hostility, antagonism, and distrust that has so frequently been exhibited been exhibited towards the sawmiller. Regarding the responsibility of the latter towards the labour employed at bush and mill, he writes, “the present system of migratory milling does not give the forest workers stability of employment and a ‘chance at home.’ Housing and sanitation are often outrageous, and living conditions intolerable. Under these conditions the timberworker easily becomes voteless, landless, womanless, homeless restless, discontented and radical. To a large extent this problem may be solved by the Development of the Central Milling idea, which will permit of a more adequate and efficient operation, ensure suitable and liveable working conditions, reasonable educational facilities, and stabilisation of definite communal centre.”

Semi-public and private planting by public institutions, endowed with forest lands, by County Councils, Municipalities, Industrial Corporations, and private individuals s urged on the ground that it should be to these agencies the, community should look for the supply of purely local-needs. The establishment of a State Forest Loan Fund, to make advances and encourage private planting, or the improvement of private forest lands under supervision is considered advisable, and should be worked out on the same principles as advances to encourage the fishing industry.

; To finance the Forest organisation and development schemes proposed, a long term Government Debenture loan is suggested, amounting to £872,300, the expenditure of which would be spread over a period of 5- to 7 years, and' would cover the following:

Housing, Improvements of roads, etc., Demarcation, Working plans and General ... ... £240,000. Existing State Forest extension £302,300. Forest products Laboratory £30,000. Acquisition of Forest lands £200,000. State Forest Loans £IOO,OOO. £872,300. In addition to this, “Special Projects” are estimated to run into £47,000, and current management £53,000 per annum for the five years development period. In framing the new Forest Act, it is recommended that all previous legislation and regulations should be repealed (at least so far as they conflict with a w'ell ordered administration) that the maximum amount of matured and large growth timber which may be cut during years and the periods on each State Forest, should be prescribed. That no sale of timber should be made until the approving officer is satisfied that practicable methods of cutting are defined for the preservation of the living and growing timber, and the promotion of the younger growth so as to secure as complete utilisation of the various species and grades of material as is compatible with existing market conditons.