264 FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND. 



far for education. As regards research it should be stated that 

 the structure and qualities of the principal timbers have been 

 investigated at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, 

 South Kensington. During the last year or two considerable 

 controversy as to the rate of growth of indigenous trees, as com- 

 pared with that of exotic trees, has taken place, but the informa- 

 tion so far available does not permit any definite conclusions 

 being drawTi. It is, however, a subject which should receive 

 early attention by the new Department of Forestry. 



State Assistance given to Forestry. — This consists chiefly in 

 providing plants to private proprietors at a low rate, and, in some 

 cases, free of charge, especially to discharged soldiers. About 

 half a million plants w^ere thus provided in 1919. 



No information has been suppHed in the official Statement, as 

 regards increment, utilization, consumption, export, import, &c, 



SECTION III.-SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK. 



From what has been stated it is evident that no summary 

 based on official communications can be given, but some remarks 

 on the general policy seem justified. 



What strikes the reader at once is the fact that the indigenous 

 forests have practically been thrown overboard, and that future 

 supplies are to be provided from plantations consisting of exotic 

 trees. This is certainly a very bold measure, which the New 

 Zealand authorities seem to have adopted, because they beUeve 

 that the growth of the indigenous species is too slow in com- 

 parison with that of certain exotic species. The questions here 

 involved are : — 



(1) Whether the growth of the indigenous species of New 



Zealand is really as slow as is believed ? 



(2) Whether the selected exotic species yield timber of sufficient 



quality to replace the indigenous species and yet grow 

 much faster ? 



(3) Whether it is safe to introduce exotic species on this large 



scale without risking the development of disease which 

 may lead, in the end, to disastrous results ? 

 These are questions which require the immediate attention of 

 the newly established Department of Forestry, and more parti- 

 cularly the third question. Indeed, investigations made during 



