PRESERVATION OF N.Z. SCENERY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 79, 20 April 1937, Page 15

PRESERVATION OF N.Z. SCENERY

Review of Conference Activities MR. F. E. SMITH'S REPORT "In all my experience I have never attended a meeting of any description, or for any purpose whatsoever, where such keenness was in evidence," he said. "Speakers were limited to five minutes, and on several occasions it was . difficult to decide which of the several delegates who had risen from their seats, should next speak," said Mr. F.. E. Smith, at the meeting of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce last evening when reporting on the conference at Wellington- recently concerning Forest Preservation and 1 Amenity Plantingu "It was pleasing to observe that not only his Excellency, the GovernorGeneral, who presided, but also the Ministers of the Crown, the Hou. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Hon. F. Langstone, Minister of Lands, were keenly alive to the urgent necessity for preserving, as far as possible, what remains of the Dominion 's native flora, and alsp of increased planting for commercial purposes and for the beautification of our land," he continued. "It is my decided opinion that a.11 Government funds set aside for anything in the way of beautification should be pooled and used solely for the purchase and protection of native forests along our roads throughout New Zealand, ' ' said Mr. Sinitli. ' 1 Why not, first of all secure to the Dominion the beauty w« already have along our roadsides, a native beauty we can never hope to ereate through years aud years of planting and waiting, and then wo could procfeed to plant so that our land may be made more beautiful and attractiva, Activity Renewed.- ' 4 On the Wliole I consider that the conference was not in vain," added Mr. Hmith. "It has stirred many people to renewed aotivity and we may look forward to increased interest and further personal sacrifice in the preservation of and in the creation of that which is for the betterment and enjoyment* of the people of this richly endowed land of ours." "The practical results of the conference are yet to be seen," he said, "but if the Ministers of the Crown proceed with their work in the spirit of their utterances at the conference, and, if a bold and courageous financiai policy is adopted, then the people of New Zealand may rest assured that the landscape beauties pf our country will be jealously guarded and increased." Mr. Smith mentioned that during the progress of the conference both the Hon. Parry and the Hon. Langstone paid tribute to Mr. and Mrs. F. Hutchinson for their goneroaity and pnblic spiritedness iu giving native bush and land to the people of the Dominion for a domaiu at Puketitiri. Kemits Carried. Dealing with the business transacted at the conference, Mr. Smith said that as the re'Sult of a remit from the New Zealand Counties Association, calling for an amendment to the Public Works Act to enable the acquisition of lands to protect scenic assets adjoining public roads, it was decided to petition Parliament for ah amendment to the Public Works Act, by which privately owned forests adjoining roads could be taken for scenic purposes. At present the Act does- not give this authority. Other matters contained in the remits, and which were carried were as follow: — 1. That every endeavour be made to create greater interest in Arbor Day planting. 2. That the Govenment undertake a classification of land in New Zealand at present covered with standing bush with a view to the prohibition of further cleaving (a) in all cases where such clearing would be detrimental (b) in all other cases when satisfied that the land so cleared will be economically utilised. 3. That the Government be requested, in its forthcoming legislation, to provide for the prevention of the dc- , struction of bush facing any new road or railway, or newly designed main highway, pending inspection from the Seenery Preservation Board, but of not more than 10 chains in depth, or to the nearest ridge erest. 4. That landowhers be encouraged to presevve and protect patches of nativp bush and to dedicate corners of waste land for natural regeneration, or fof beautification, plantihg ctc. i ; Survey of Dominion 0. Encourage future plantings and (a) drew attention to the nocessity for skilled supervision in regard' to future planting schemes in order to avoid the mistakes made in the past and to prevent in amenity planting the exclusive or excessive use of any one particular species in a distriet; (b) survey. of New Zealand ' into* districts with lists of trees, both exotic and indigonous suitable for planting therein; (c) nnd exercise tolerance in connection with tho vexed question of native verSus exotic plantings and the need for alloWing natural native plants regcneratiofa where present to take its own course, where possible. 6. Adoption of coronation and New Zealand centennial meniorial plantings. 7. To urge the extension of powers of local authorities and public bodies in rospect of tree planting and the welfare of tvoes. 8. Encourage the beautification Of cemeteries. 9. The incomjng executive be rjsquested to consider tlie question qf hoardings and advertisements in geneT'Jll, . 30. Finally, it was decided to forni a provisional committeo which will select an executive wliieh will m6et in Wellington. The scheme calls for the divisioh of New Zealaiid into 20 districts and a distriet coijncil will lie formed in each areii, oach council tfcporting to the executive with regard to its own particular needs.