THE FORESTRY COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3777, 12 March 1913, Page 5

THE FORESTRY COMMISSION.

DUNEDIN SITTINGS CONCLUDED. [press association telegram.] DUNEDIN, March 11. The Forestry Commission concluded its sittings here to-day. A letter was received from Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., regretting his inability to attend the sitting, hut promising to forward a written statement of his views. Mr Alex. Bathgate (President of the Reserves Conservation Society) dealt with the necessity for irrigation in Otago Central and urged the advisability of planting big shelter belts in such localities as the Molyneax Valley, Straithtaieri, and the more exposed. coastlines of the North Island. Witness stated that the financial side of the afforestation question should be put on a sounder basis so that the work could be carried on irrespective of the change of Government or financial stringency. The president and secretary of the Dunedin Builders’ and Contractors’ Union of Employers forwarded a letter deploring the rapid depletion of timber, and voicing the opinion that the matter was of the utmost importance. The reafforestation of land should be carried on. in a more vigorous manner. The Commissioner inspected some butter boxes which had been imported from the Baltic at a cost of Is Id, as against Is 8d for localjy-made boxes. A discussion took place on timber for butter boxes, during which it was stated that Australian boxes w;ere male almost exclusively of white pine. Mr J. R. Scott, secretary of the South Island Association, stated that his Association for years had been asking the Government to put an export duty on white pine.