National Parks Policy Defended

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 185, 26 October 1927, Page 16

National Parks Policy Defended

CHARGING ADMISSION “HEATHER AND BAWBEES” (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The proposal to charge admission to Tongariro National Park was not well received by those who spoke on the second reading of the Tongariro National Park Amendment Bill which was discussed in the House of Representatives to-night. Mr. McLeod said that criticism of the administration of these national parks had been directed at the Government, but he claimed that the intention of original legislation for the control of our national parks was being fulfilled and the interests of the people were being safeguarded. People have criticised the introduction of exotic plants and also bird and animal life. So far as the exotic plants are concerned—the chief exception being taken to heather — Mr. McLeod pointed out that the heather was introduced into this area long before it was made a national park. It was there 20 years ago. Mr. McLeod went on to say that the total area set aside for national parks throughout the Dominion aggregated 2,750,000 acres in eight separate reservations. Scenic reservations numbered 777 and comprised land which did not lend itself to settlement purposes, but which had been set aside to display the scenic beauties of the country. PROVISIONS OF BILL

The Bill now before the Tlouse empowered the authorities to alter boundaries of the park and provided for the alteration on the board. He understood that it was proposed to exercise power given in another clause to charge for admission to the park, the intention of this legislation being to allow the provision of some revenue, apart from that derived from Government vote. Necessary work thus would be provided for. Mr. G. W. Forbes, Leader of the Nationalists, asked if any opossums existed on the park. Mr. McLeod replied that if there were opossums there they had not assumed serious numbers. He feared they would be as difficult to exterminate as the heather. Mr. J. A. Lee, Auckland East, questioned the wisdom of giving the Minister power to dispose of certain sections of the park GREATEST GIFT

Mr. W. H. Field, Otaki, expressed a desire to include in the boundaries of the park all bush land from Waimarino railway station to Ohakune railway station. Mr. F. F. Hockly, Rotorua, classed Tongariro as the greatest gift ever made to this country. Sir Joseph Ward, Invercargill, considered it quite wrong to charge admission money to what was one of the greatest assets ~the country possessed; some of the greatest gifts of a great Maori chief. He agreed to the utilisation of assets, but urged the Government to draw the line at gate charges. It was akin to toll charges, which had been a curse to the country. Mr. W. A. Veitch and Mr. P. Fraser also voiced strenuous protest against a charge being made for admission to the park. The Bill was read a second time.