AFFORESTATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2084, 20 May 1907, Page 3

AFFORESTATION.

Press Association OAMARU, Saturday. The Minister for Lands visited Kurow last night to discuss with the residents the rumored abandonment by the Forestry Department of the State nurserv and forest at Kurow. Mr. McPherson, AI.H.R., introduced a strong deputation, tlie Hon. Duncan being also present. . The Minister made a clear and explicit statement ns to tho intontion of the Government in regard to the matter under discussion, after- which tho _ followingmotion was carried: “Having heard the very clear and explicit statement of the Minister for Lands, the deputation wish to withdraw any expression of displeasure or dissatisfaction with the action of the Government, and accept the explanation. as perfectly satisfactory.” In acknowledging this Mr. AlcNab said nothing further would be done in the way of reducing the nursery until the first portion of the laud proposed to be planted is put into the name of the Crown as a guarantee that the Government intended to carry out the work. He was not in a position to say when land in the district would be reserved for the purpose-of planting out. Mr. AlcNab returned from ICurow this morning, arid after a short tour of the district in a motor car, and receiving a deputation, left by the 11.30 train for the north. Speaking to a deputation at ICurow last evening the Hon. R. AlcNab said, spt aking generally of the State forestry question, that it was the intention of the government to economise on the growth of the trees, and to utilise the whole of that economy by proposals now being put into operation, that would, while planting the same area and .producing the same number of trees, effect a saving of £5,000 per annum all over the colony, but the Government would expend this amount in the planting of trees. He admitted that where' trees are grown as near as possible to the place, where they are planted, the best possible condttMfis for successful growth were obLaftned;-- but they might pay too dearly for perfect conditions. The Government intended to see that this part of the district did not lose a single penny with re gard to the expenditure of money or the employment of men, for the whole of the economy effected in Kurow was to ho expended in planting in the district. This was on an undertaking given the people which hat to ‘be redeemed by subsequent Governments, and -was one phaso of_ a greater activity in connection with forestry work from one end of the' colony to the other. He would not go back on one'single word he had uttered in connection with State forestry. He wished to see the vacant lands of the colony clothed with forests so that future gonerationf might get even a larger revenue from the trade than from the richly cultivated fields of the present time. Regarding agricultural -pursuits, the condition of the colony must be enormously improved by the raising of forests. He hoped he had been able to remove from their minds the idea that he intended to cease operation! in conection with State plantation; in any part of the colony. He could assure 1 them of the intention ‘of the Government to at once secure land for forestry purposes in the Kurow district under the Public AVorks Act without negotiation, and to commence operations at once. These would be carried on to the extent allowed by the amount saved by the transfer of the nursery to another site, leaving, the present site to be disposed of under the Land for Settlements Act: Ho could give their his assurance so far as he could thal the best would be produced for the money available.