CHECKING FLOODS AT THEIR SOURCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 58, 21 March 1944, Page 4

CHECKING FLOODS AT THEIR SOURCE

FOR nearly half a century the need for repairing the havoc wrought by the devastation of our forests has been under discussion, and during the whole of that time the rate of destruction of farm lands by flood has steadily increased with the progress of settlement and the further use of the axe. Only a regular and co-ordinated policy of reafforestation amid the highlands and river valleys will hold the waters in check and prevent such disastrous floods as that which occurred in the Bay of Plenty. A little has been done by successive Governments, but none of them has given the subject the consideration which its importance demands. There were signs that the present administration was awakening to the necessity for action when the war upset everything, but while there is not sufficient manpower available at the moment to do a tithe of what is necessary the opportunity is here for doing something now towards planning a broad and comprehensive policy, which will give attention to the needs of every district in order of priority. If the local boards which were planned just before the war were now set up and given sufficient finance could make arrangements for tackling the worst areas, and they could at the same time do some--thing to assist in the rehabilitation of returning soldiers. The matter is of vital importance to the whole Dominion, there: is no reason why it should not be discussed during the present session of Parliament and comprehensive methods adopted, in successive stages, to remove the existing mem ace to the farm and grass lands of the Dominion. —Auckland Star.