“HANDS OFF!”

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1921, Page 4

“HANDS OFF!”

With the reply of the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister for Landa, to the recent representations of the settlers on the Mokau river to remove the reservation on some of the remaining scenic spots on that river, there will be general agreement. “I am surprised to find an advocacy in the district for the destruction of the scenic reserves/’ says the Minister, “as I consider that it would be a crying shame to destroy them. The day will come when you would be sorry if such action were taken.” This is well eaid, and puts the position in a nutshell. If other Ministers had exhibited the same commendable spirit years ago, much more of the incomparable river scenery would have been preserved. Then, as now, determined efforts were made to cut down the bush. '“Sentiment must not interfere with settlement,” was the specious cry, and whilst Cabinet was considering the matter, the ate was put in and the fire followed. The result is that to-day considerable stretches of river bank, absolutely useless for settlement, are a barren waste, a disfigurement to the landscape, and a source of danger in that the natural covering of the banks has been removed, causing slips and‘blockage of the river waters. There never was any objection ’ in those days to the flats being used for settlement, or access given to settlers where flats do not exist. Even now, settlers are protected in this connection, provision having been made, as pointed out by the Minister, for taking roads or tracks through the scenic reserves. There has already been too much indiscriminate destruction. Had the owners of the land stayed their hand, or had the then GoverninNit shown more energy over the matter and a greater appreciation of the interests of the public, the river scenery could have been preserved and the claims of settlement also met, with advantage to all concerned. As it is, much of the front from a scenic point of view has been irreparably ruined, and from the utilitarian point of view it has proved a very vastly mistake. Instead Of reducing the scenic features, some of them might more advantageously be increased, land at the back being taken in order to more effectively secure the frontages from weather and fire. No one desires to block legitimate settlement, or make the lot of man who is carving out his back country like this, any harder it is, and least Of all the present ister for Lands, who has always himself a true friend of the blocker, ready to give him when required, and generally offer hin| every facility to make good, but in this matter the Minister’s policy of “Hands off” these national assets, is undoubtedly the right one, as the applicants themselves will probably realise in subsequent years.