INTERFERENCE WITH RESERVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1921, Page 7

INTERFERENCE WITH RESERVES.

SAWMILIJERS’ ASSOCIATION EXPLAIN. ( At Thursday night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League, a letter was received from the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association relative to the suggested interference with scenic reserves. It was as follows: “From the Taranaki News of the 10th inst. I note that your League discussed the question alleged to have been raised by this -federation of utilising for settlement certain parts of ‘reserves set aside for scenery.’ I wish to register an emphatic protest against the suggestion that this federation raised the question of encroaching upon scenic reserves. Whoever raised the question it certainly was not this federation, and as the allegation has already been published I would be pleased if you would give it immediate public denial. Also, I should be pleased to learn from you the source of your information. Far from being desirous of encroaching upon scen e reserves, this federation strongly supports every effort that can possibly be made to safeguard them. I might also state that almost all the members of this federation are also members and strong supporters of the New Zealand Forestry League, along the definite objects of which is the following: ‘To aid in conserving native bush for scenic reserves, water conservation, and other puposes.’ For your information I enclose a pamphlet issued by the N.Z. Forestry League, which sets out in full the objects of the league, the whole of which this federation supports. As the resolution of the league has been forwarded to the Prime Minister and the Minister-in-Charge of Scenic Reserves. I would be pleased if you would send them this denial if it was stated in you letter that the proposal originated. from this federation.” Letters were received from the Prime ■ Minister and Mr. W. Noswothy (Minister for Tourist Affairs), acknowledging the league’s resolution and promising their careful consideration of any move to encroach upon the reserve. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., also wrote, stating that he was in full sympathy with the league’s resolution, and promising his assistance in lighting for the retention of the scenic reserves.

The chairman (Mr. T. O'. List) said the action of the league was based on a circular from the Sawmillers* Association, received and discussed by the Egmont county clerk. In the discussion Cr. O’Brien stated that the circular “advocated curtailing the areas set apart for forests in the interests of settlement. Egmont was interested, inasmuch as they had a State forest within a few miles of Opunake. He referred to the Mount Egmont Forest Reserve, which, to his knowledge, contained some splendid pastoral and agricultural country. Two or three miles could be cut off the reserve around the base of the mountain, and be farmed properly, and yet sufficient area of State forest would be left further up.” The chaiman said it was possible Cr. O’Brien had misunderstood the terms of the sawmillers’ circular, but as a league interested in the preservation of the scenic reserves of the province it was their duty to take notice and protest against any movement to interfere •with them. It was, 'however, gratifying to receive the assurance from the Sawmillers’ Association that they were favorable to the retention of the reserves. At the same time the lea-gue must ever be on their guard against any encroachment upon the scenic reserves; assets that were priceless, and as much the property of posterity as of the people of to-day.

Mr. G. Fraser said that the action of the league would do good if it only showed the powers that be, and the public as well, that the league was ever on the watch in regard to the scenic reserves. He suggested that a statement of the reasons actuating the league in taking the action they did be forwarded to the Sawmillers’ Association.

After further discussion a motion in these terms was carried.