OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1941, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

N.Z. TREES FOR GREECE (To the Editor.) Sir, —The present time may not be inopportune to suggest that when the war is over we send to Greece a consignment of New Zealand trees and shrubs, chief of which would be the Christmas-tree or pohutakawa. These seedlings would be planted along the cliffs and beaches where our troops were evacuated. In the years to come the scarlet flowers would be a symbol, and constant reminder, to the Greeks of the blood our boys shed in our common cause and help to cement the goodwill between the two countries. Groves of kauri and tanekaha would, in a comparatively short time, prove invaluable to the Greek fishing fleets for spars and masts. Puriri, besides being a handsome tree is, up to a point, a fast grower and the timber is durable and valuable for numbers of purposes. I understand our native flora was introduced on Gallipoli and is still flourishing.

I am not suggesting that a botanical garden be mooted or that the idea be taken up by the Government. Anyone interested would be invited to bring along seedlings already potted in earthenware pots to a given depot where they would be cared for until despatched. The cost should not be great, in fact be kept down to a minimum. 1 suggest that the Greek Consul bo approached to find out if the scheme be acceptable.—l am, etc., D. V. HOSKING, Maraetai, North Auckland.