FOREST FIRES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 5

FOREST FIRES

SAFEGUARDING REGULATIONS STATE AND OWNERS' RESPONSIBILITY (Pee United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 26. New regulations designed to prevent forest fires are gazetted to-night. The regulations have been framed with a view to providing the utmost protection to forests consistent with as little interference as possible in the normal life of the community. The general effect in brief will be to impose on the State as well as the owners of private forests, and all neighbours and users of such forests the mutual obligation to safeguard one another's interests. In an explanatory statement concerning the regulations, the Mimster-in-charge of State Forests (Mr F. Langstone) says he is convinced that New Zealand's present fire incidence could be reduced by at least 75 per cent with the support and co-operation of all patriotic New Zealanders and the Minister appeals for every possible assistance in a national campaign against forest fire.

Under the new regulations forest officers are given power to enter private lands for the suppression of fires. Steps must be taken for the prevention and escape of fire and live coals from ash pans and fire boxes Certain relaxations are granted in respect to milking machines and shearing plants, etc. As a further safeguard the Director of Forestry may, during periods of extreme fire danger, suspend logging or sawmilling operations, A further provision makes it an offence for any person to throw or drop any kind* of smouldering substance in a State forest or fire district from August 1 to April 30, and it also has been made an offence to enter a State forest or any exotic forest in a fire district without a permit. The responsibility is placed on every person who works in or adjacent to a State forest or fire district or happens to be within those areas for any purpose whatsoever to tend and control forest fires.