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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 198, 19 February 1914, Page 4

SCENERY PRESERVATION. Apropos of a letter appearing in yesterday's issue from a correspondent regarding tho Everett road reserve, it is interesting to note that a society has been launchcu in Wellington which promises to do a great deal of good in the direction of scenery preservation. The organisation is known as the New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society, and its objects, outlined at the last meeting, are as follows:— (; ( 1) To be an association for the conservation of wild nature; (2) to inculcate amongst the public, especially children, an intelligent interest in the native flora and fauna; (3) to secure the conservation o: the native forest growing on roadsides, on river banks, and on other public lands, and to socurc protsction for the same as far as possible; (4) to procure and set aside as public reserves all privately-owned forest lands which are in danger of being destroyed, and generally to assist any movement, whether organised by private persons, local bodies or tho State, taken for the purpose of protecting any area of land covered with native forest." There can be no question or doubt whatever that such a society can perform good work in New Zealand. Year by year a wanton destruction of our glorious natur.il scenery goes on. We say wanton advisedly, because not only are the beauties of the forest swept away by. the inarch of settlement, but many so-calle.l protected areas are brought under destruction through utter carelessness and disregard of ordinary precautions. A society such as we mention may do good work, not only in presenting organised requests to the Government, but also in bringing to the minds of the people a realisation of the wisdom of protecting their own property. Unless prompt and energetic 'steps are taken tho chances undoubtedly are that before many years are past the rare beauty of the natural forests of New Zealand will be but a memory. With the forests must also go the bird life, and coming generations will be able to form little idea of what has been swept away before the axe and fire stick. The progress of settlement is not the "end all" of everything in this country- We have to look forward to a time when the people will want breathing spaces, when the workers in big cities will long for the breath of Nature in their nostrils. Yet, with the object of running a few more head of stock, people are found urging the destruction of natural beauty spots which can never be restored by the hand of man. Tho society has started off with a good membership, and if Taranaki people were to render assistance it might result in material benefit to the province. This district has many raw beauty spots which need protection, and it is "up to" us to look after our interests.

Egypt or India, for this is the route by which, in tome of emergency, military reinforcements must be sent. For these reasons we cannot ignore the renewed activity in shipbuilding and manning of Germany's two powerful allies, and unless the Cahinot is prepared to eat its words the shipbuilding programmes already forecasted must be reviewed at an early date. Not only Mr. Churchill, but the Primo Minister, Sir Edward Grey (who as Foreign Secretary knows the influence of our naval power on our diplomacy), and Mr. Harcourt (who has apparently come to view the matter from an Imperial standpoint) have given definite pledges. The hut-named Minister has stated that 'under existing circumstances of territory and responsibility, our position in 'the Medi terranean must remain one of national and international importance,' and be declared (hat 'we shall maintain it there both on land and on sea to as full an extent as we have ever done in Uio past, and in doing so we depend on no alliance or understanding, actual or impied. but upon our own forces, subject only to our own—and onlv our ownneeds and to the toctical "exigencies of our own unfettered policy and discretion.' If the Cabinet has any smse of honor it must act up to this declaration We must hold the Mediterranean, and, fo far, no adequate provision has been made ■-to this end."