Erosion Menace

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 15, 13 October 1943, Page 4

Erosion Menace

Sir, —Au article written, on the menace of erosion by Mr. J. T. Salmon, Al. Sc.. A.R.P.S., in a recent issue of your paper is both timely and to the point. New Zealanders in general have a poor appreciation of the appalling results of advanced erosion. The history of erosion in other countries, for example, Northern China, the Middle East and, more recently, the notorious Dust Bowl of America, leaves no room for complacency in this country. Whole civilizations have perished and vast areas have been devastated as the result of man’s ruthless deforestation and exploitation of the soil of these once fertile lands. Time only is required to produce similar effects in New Zealand, where erosion is already well established.

A complete change in our conception of hill country management is urgently needed. In the past the pioneers applied all their energies to clearing, grassing, fencing and stocking enormous areas of hill country. In the future, we, their children, will be faced with the equal!}’ colossal task of removing the stock and replanting the forest. As a nation we stand at the crossroads. Either we face up to the enormous task of the reafforestation of steep hill country areas and of implementing approved soil conservation methods on the easier country, or we follow our present practice of farming these areas and allow erosion, the “tuberculosis” of the soil, slowly to extend its grip and overwhelm Jis. in irretrievable disaster. —I am, etc., HILL COUNTRY. Masterton, October 11.