Lecoy.—The Forest Question in New Zealand. 28 
moter himself, and was supported by distinguished members of the House. 
The information and suggestions contributed on the occasion by the 
speeches of Messrs, Travers, Stafford, O’Neill, and others, still bear the 
same force of argument at the present time. 
In 1870, the forest question sprang up in the Select Committee on 
Colonial Industries. Men of science were called in and interrogated. In 
his reply to Mr. O'Neill, Dr. Hector, in a few words, threw a vivid light on 
the whole subject. He said :— 
* The rapid destruction of the native forests I consider to be most 
wasteful, and as having the effect of rapidly reducing the natural resources 
ofthe country. It is not at all necessary that the forest should be com- 
pletely removed in the way that it usually is, either for the purpose of 
agricultural settlement, or the obtaining of timber for mills, firewood, or 
fencing. The thinnings of the forest would be ample in most cases to 
supply all the latter wants. By carelessly opening up tracts of forest, and 
especially by the firing of dead forests, the young growth of trees which 
comes up to supply the place of the trees that are removed is wholly 
arrested, and in a short time the air and sun dry up the surface soil of good 
quality, which — iib dapes bush-land, and it is washed 
away by the rains."  * 
. In 1873, Mr. O'Neill moved *: oae in the opinion of this House, it is 
expedient that proper steps be taken for the conservation of the forests 
throughout the colony, with which view it is resolved that a respectful 
address be transmitted to his Excellency the Governor, requesting that he 
may be pleased to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into and report 
upon the State forests and the best means for securing their conservation." 
Sir D. Maclean said: ‘‘ This subject appeared to have been well con- 
sidered by the honourable member *  *  * but all the Government 
could promise was to look into the matter during the recess, with the 
view of introducing a bill next session." 
In 1874 the State Forests Act was passed, but its provisions as to the 
fund intended for the administration of the State forests have since been 
rescinded. 
Sinee then the forest agitation has subsided, but the extermination of 
forests by fire and axe has not ceased. Meanwhile the Public Works policy 
has been developed, extensive lines of railways have already been completed, 
others are in progress of construction, many more will be asked for, and 
under all circumstances the Colonial Treasurer will be entitled to look to 
the proper management of the State forests as an important and hitherto 
untouched source of revenue. 
