SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK. 265 



the last 2 years seem to show, for instance, that the growth of 

 kauri is much more rapid than has been supposed. That species 

 yields one of the best coniferous timbers on the earth, and its 

 re-estabUshment in New Zealand on a considerable scale seems 

 highly desirable. The nature of the New Zealand flora is so 

 distinctly special that the introduction of exotic species is rather 

 risky. No doubt, Oregon Douglas grows very rapidly during 

 youth, but it is also known that its rate of growth falls off consi- 

 derably with advancing age. Nor does it seem to have been 

 realised in New Zealand that the Oregon Douglas timber imported 

 into New Zealand is taken from trees which were at least 150 years 

 old, and that the Douglas timber produced in New Zealand is not 

 likely to show the same quahty unless the trees are allowed to 

 reach a similar age. 



On the whole, it appears, as far as can be judged from a distance, 

 that the best indigenous forests should, with due consideration 

 of the requirements of land for the extension of agricultural 

 pursuits, be selected and converted into permanent State forests, 

 properly organised and managed for the sustained supply of 

 indigenous timber. As a consequence, the enormous outlay on 

 plantations can be correspondingly reduced. 



Since the above was written a report, by the new Director 

 of Forestry, has come to hand showing that, after many years 

 of a vacillating policy, a new era has commenced which is 

 likely to see the institution of systematic forest management 

 resting on a scientific basis. Above all, it has at last been 

 recognised that the preservation and systematic management of 

 the indigenous forests on the principle of a sustained yield is the 

 first and foremost duty of the re-organised Forestry Department. 

 Full details cannot yet be given, but the general lines of the future 

 forest policy may here be put down. They are : — 



(1) Permanent dedication to forest management of all Crown 



lands chiefly valuable for forestry and timber production 

 with the deletion of all lands chiefly valuable for 

 agricultural purposes. 



(2) Scientific forest management of all State forests on the 



principle of a sustained yield for the benefit of future 

 generations, as well as the present. 



