SOIL EROSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 January 1939, Page 7

SOIL EROSION

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS. DETERMINATION TO GRAPPLE WITH PROBLEM. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. ‘•lt is no use going in for half measures in dealing with a problem so serious to the Dominion as soil erosion,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, in reply to a local body deputation on Saturday. “The irreparable damage done to some of the cream of New Zealand’s acres is almost colossal,” Mr Parry said. “But the Government does not intend to dwell upon the past; it is now and the future with which the Government is concerned. The pending legislation in an effort to cope with the problem has already been announced, and the sooner it is on the Statute Book the ' better it will be for the country.

“One of the largest activities of the department I administer is local government. in which is wrapped up a varied list of the problems of the land. Almost the first trouble that confronted me on joining the Ministry was the river flood erosion. The damage done to valuable land by the removal of bush from hill slopes came before me like a nightmare everywhere I travelled to meet local bodies. “I set out with some of my colleagues three years ago with a determination to help grapple with erosion,” added the Minister. "We must save the soil; it is the country’s foundation for all things, and the assistance of all is needed to do so. The Government, in seeking to obtain Parliament’s aid to make greater headway than in the past several years in dealing with the question, will have, I know, the wholehearted support of local bodies and the people.”