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Chronicle (Levin), 1 March 1949, Page 6

DUNEDIN, Feb. 28. Soil erosion in New Zealand is not nearly so serious a problem as some people eoiisider and is not nearly as bad here as in the Eastern United Utates. That opinion was expressed this morning by Professor G. W. Robinson, head of the agricultural ehemistry division at the University College of Bangor, North Waies. Professor Robinson, who was leader of the British' delegatipn to thp Pacilie Science CongresSj'^ded that he had not had an opportu-mty of Yobserving the country as a whole and was refer- j Ang only to those parts he had actual- , ly seen. These were mainly4 lowland' areas.^ .. ■■■■?■- ' j He" had noted a certain amount of erosion in the higher areas of the North Island, but he did not regard it as seriously as some people .Aid. Professor Robinsoii jvas- impressed by "the 'enormous fertility'"" of 'the soils in New Zealand, which exceeded anything in England. When he visited the Taieri Plains he was astounded at the iields of crops, such as swqdes) mangels'' and corn. New Zealand, i!$ said, ha'd» as high an agtlculfnral pptential as any country he had ffisittdi' v