Proposal to Nationalise Thermal Areas

Chronicle (Levin), 9 February 1949, Page 7

Proposal to Nationalise Thermal Areas

AUCKLAND, Feb. 8. A proposal that the Governments ot Pacific countries shouid acquire all thermal areas and coptrol and develop them as national parks was put before the vulcanology section of the geology division of the Pacific Science Gongress. In moving that the Pacific Science Council make representations ih this direetion, Mr. S. H. Wilson, from the Dominion laboratory of the Department, of Scientific and Industrial Research, pointed out the rarity of thermal regions and their scientific interest and tourist value. " Particularly in New Zealand, these areas are of very great interest ahd yet are in very dividei ownership, and a good .many *of them have been neglected, " said Mr. Wilsou. The lake on White Island had been destroyed in a futile attempt to get suiphur, he added. The Rotokawa arec was greatly neglected, Tokaanu wa* very pooriy looked after, the very interesting mud volcanoes there being in bad condition, and other areas wen maecessible. Great as was the possi bility of using hot water and steam from the areas, he thought tliat tln. tourist attraetion they represented would be still more valuable if they were properly developed in a national park system and their features explained to visitors in an interesting an.,1 scientific manner. He suggested that it would be besi if the delegates voted on the motion at Christchurch after they had seen the state of the areas for themselves. Dr. P. E. Cloud, United States, cotn rnented that it was not the function oi such an international council to advice the Government of New Zealand on thf disposition of its territories. Another speaker said that while he agreed theye should be better contro. of thermal areas, he did not agree tliat the only way to do it was by nationalisation.