FOREST AND BIRD PROTECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 223, 20 March 1914, Page 4

FOREST AND BIRD PROTECTION.

We are in receipt of a circular from the reeently-fo.rmed New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society, asking us to give publicity to the aims and objects of- the Society and for support of the movement, a request to which we cheerfully accede. The purpose of the Society is to assist' in protecting, as far as is possible, the beautiful native wild birds, and to protect the homes of the native birds, which have been set aside as sanctuaries for their preservation, for our native birds cannot live without the forest. The Society also aims at securing reserves of the primeval forest in districts where reserves have not been made; to inculcate amongst the public, especially children, an intelligent interest in Jhe native flora and fauna; to secure the conservation of native forests growing on roadsides, on river banks and other public lands, and to secure protection for same jas far as possible; to assist any movement, whether organised by private persons, local bodies or the State, taken for the purpose of protecting any area of land covered with native forest, or other plant life. All lovers of the native birds and forests of this country will welcome the formation of this society. The need of some organisation through which the public, who are interested in the protection and preservation of our flora and fauna, may give expression to their views, has long been felt. Societies with similar commendable aims liave from time to time arisen, and, after a short life of more or less usefulness, have pined and passed away. We trust this will not be the fate of the new organisation. For there never was a time in the history of the country when there was greater need for, and more work before, such.'! society. We are having this fact brought home forcibly to us in Taranaki just now, when an unimaginative and utilitarian Government is doing its best to rob the people and posterity of some of its great scenic heritages. We refer to the Mokau river scenery and the Everett road reserve near Inglewood. Its actions in respect to these beauty spots are almost criminal. The reservation on the Everett road area has been lifted, and unless action is promptly taken

it will share the same fate as much of the incomparable Jlokau river scenery. VTliy the Government has allowed itself to be influenced to remove the reservation on a piece of land but 180 aores in extent, running along the hanks of a river for a considerable distance, and

fatally unfit for settlement, is hard to understand. It has been the work of one party, as far as we can gather, with a motive not entirely disiiterestcd, and it has had no trouble in securing the assistance of the member-: for Taranaki and Stratford in carrying its point. Neither member cares one jot about scenery, bird sanctuaries, or anything of an aesthetic nature; they cannot raise themselves even for a short period above the sordid things of life; they are utilitarians who view forest reserves as only so much wasted land that ought to be running so many head of stock. Otherwise they never could have allowed themselves to be parties to this act of spoliation of the district's heritage. But it is not too late for them to withdraw from the position they have taken up. We hope they will, for the sake of themselves as much as for the community, lu regard to the Mokau, the damage has unfortunately been done. The present Government has been as apathetic about the preservation of the bush scenery as its predecessors. It could have saved much of the scenery, had it so minded, but it has been callous and indifferent, and the axe and the match have dons their fell work. Nature's work of thousands of years has been ruthlessly destroyed, and desolation in its most hideous form now reigns where beauty and grandeur, unexcelled and incomparable, were Bupreme. It is a pity and a shame, and to think that it might have been saved had our Governments only taken advantage of the offers of the original lessees and owners and issued the necessary Gazette notice! But in this the Government harkened to the voice of one or two interested parties, as it has in the case of the Everett road reserve, paying no heed to the claims of the community and posterity. From a utilitarian point of view the settlers using the river will have cause later on to regret the short-sighted, careless and reckless actions of those responsible for the denudation. of the river banks of their vegetation and forest, and for the Governments that allowed the destruction they will entertain feelings of bitterness and contempt. Thank goodness the Mount Egmont National Park is beyond the interference of a utilitarian and soulless Government like the present one. For placing it beyond its reach we are indebted to a few far-seeing, publicspirited and nature - loving citizens, whose services -can never be over-esti-mated. The greatest monument to their disinterested and unselfish efforts is the mountain scenery itself. Contrast their efforts with those who are sedulously working and fighting to destroy the remnant of bush that has wisely been set aside by previous Administrations as public scenic reserves!