THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1943. ARBOR DAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3297, 6 August 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1943. ARBOR DAY

Wednesday, August 4, was observed as Arbor Day. A re-cently-published gazette requested local bodies throughout New Zealand to organise suitable celebrations for the day. In many parts of the Dominion arrangements were made for the planting of trees by school children and others. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, asked also that individuals throughout the country would manage to spare a little energy for tree-planting or on another day or days during the season. Mr Parry emphasised his belief that suitable trees, preferably native, are ideal living memorials of soldiers, airmen, naval men, nurses, and also of battles and other war feats in which New Zealanders have won fame.

Readers will agree with Mr Parry when he says that no vivid imagination is required to sense the inspiring influence of “these living memorials” on the rising generation. We can all heartily agree with the Minister when he says that in addition to the sentimental value of such memorials, the planting will help in developing the tree-mindedness which this country must have for the saving of its fertile soil. He gives us his assurance that the Government’s rehabilitation schemes will give heed to tasks of soil-saving, checked by the drain of manpower for work linked with the war in various ways. An insurance policy of soil saving demands the safeguarding of protective forests in high country and the regeneration of necessary forests in many ■ bare areas where the forces of Nature are taking vengeance on mankind for blunders of the past. New Zealanders of all shades of political opinion must take a keen interest in the re-afforesta-tion of the Dominion, because the foundation of our material prosperity is at stake. As the Minister puts it, “the instinct of self-preservation must band all the people together in one greatfellowship, which will recognise the vital importance of trees for material welfare.” Despite the fact that the attention of the people is gripped by the dramatic events and possibilities overseas, we trust that those who are able to plant trees will do so at some suitable date during the season.