NEW ZEALANDERS SAVE YOUR FORESTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40036, 7 December 1929, Page 4

NEW ZEALANDERS SAVE YOUR FORESTS.

OVER 90 PER CENT. ALREADY DESTROYED. (Issued by N.Z. Native Bird Protection Society,- Box 031, Wellington, N.Z.) Here in New Zealand we are faced with a forest problem unknown in any other country. For, during countless years, no plant-eating animals roamed in our forests.

A forest therefore was evolved which cannot resist the attaclks of deer and their like. Yet such anim'als have been purposely introduced into these timehonoured tree communities,' and now as an agent of destruction are present in their thousands. Our forests represent vast present and potential wealth. First of all they supply us with necessary timber. Then, they prevent that devasta - ting* rush of water which leads to ltoods,. erosion and the burying of fertile fields with stony debris. They conseiwe 'moisture -and regulate the-water supply in our rivers. In short, their impotrtance for both our great farming community and our city dwellers cannot lie over estimated. But, if the ever increasing destruction by plant-eating animals goes unchecked, our priceless forests age doomed. And, oven were it possible to replace them by replanting, that would cost millions of pounds and be a very slow process. Aipant from their inestimable feomimereial value, our forests are true New Zealanders and the proud heritage of every New Zealander. For out of their 283 kinds of trees apd shrubs not more than 10 kinds are found wild in other lands. They possess itlie richness and beauty of the famed tropical forests. On them too depends the unique character of our world famous scenery. Destroy these forests, and the hope that New Zealand will become a great tourist resort is gone for ever. Gone too will be our delightful bird life. Therefore, New Zeaalnders, protect this precious gift of our Creatoi —our glorious forests. Preserve them from baneful animals and other destructive agencies and keep them for yourselves, your children and future generations.