NATURE—AND MAN

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20511, 30 May 1938, Page 18

NATURE—AND MAN

THE MESS IN HAWKE’S BAY I NEED OF A SANE POLICY (By Leo Fanning) Of course that much over-worked word “major” has been applied to the flood disasters of Hawke's Bay. The Government and local bodies will be very busy for many months In coping with the havoc wrought by Nature's avengers, the raging rivers which overwhelmed many miles of farming country and smashed bridges and other structures Mending or replac- j lng things on the lower level will not j avail for a long period if nothing is done in the high country where the streams have their sources. If the old haphazardness continues the toll of the next extraordinary flood will be greater, for each powerful rush of wild water makes the way easier for futvre torrents to scour and scourge the country. Thus the history of other countries is repeating itself sadly in New Zealand, despite the oft-repeated warnings of many observers. For example, the recent events in Hawke’s Bay are a repetition of happenings in Korea, China, United States of America, and many other countries. “Korea, like much of the East, has suffered badly from indiscriminate wood-cutting,” wrote G- Y. Hett in “The Geographical Magazine.” “The Jong ranges of granite hills, which extend down the length of the peninsula, have been mostly shorn of their forests with the result" that they have also been denuded of their soil, which was left unprotected from the heavy summer rains. Cultivation in the valleys has suffered in consequence from the amount of decomposed granite which has been washed down, impoverished the soil. The evil has been checked by the Japanese since they took over the country and adopted heroic measures of afforestation. but much of the ground now allows little growth except dwarf pine, and it seems doubtful if any but a small proportion of the damage can be repaired.” | | Co-operation In Soil-saving Thoroughly frightened by devastating demons of erosion, farmers of the United States of America are eager to co-operate with the Government in soil-saving. “The Government's part, in addition to supplying the trees and planting them, includes the vital functions of planning and supervision.” wrote E. W. Tinker in “American Forests.” “A certain decree of forestry knowledge and skill is necessary in" the successful establishment and management of trees on all but the most favourable growing sites, and farmers naturally are not ordinarily foresters. The proper choice of planting sites, selection of tree species to be planted, proper planting methods, and the right kind and amount of subsequent care of the trees are all part of the Government’s contribution, through the Forest Ser-

vice, in this co-operative public and | private tree-planting undertaking. “In other words, should a farmer in South Dakota, weary of fighting the [ destructive efforts of wind, desire to i devote a portion of his land to a • shelter-belt, or tree windbreak, as it is locally known, he may enter into a co-operative agreement with the Government. Under the provision of the Co-operative Farm Forestry Act, Government foresters will examine his land, determine the most effective shelter-belt system to use, select the trees and shrubs most likely to succeed in that particular soil and climate, plant the trees and Instruct the farmer in their cultivation and care. The farmer prepares the land for planting, furnishes fencing material and does the cultivation work necessary for the survival of the trees- No money is involved. The Government contributes science and planting stock; the farmer contributes the land and his own labour. Views of Farmers “Regardless of what may have been said in the past about tree-planting In the Prairie-Plains region, and regardless of debates between scientists and professional foresters as to the effect of tree-planting,’ the farmers in the territory are, in general, for the project. They have seen trees survive where it was said they could not survive. They have seen the effect of shelter-belts in protecting fields and crops and in improving living conditions. And they are happy to participate, to extend the maximum degree of co-operation of which they are capable. Where, at first, some difficulty was experieneel in getting sufficient co-operators, applications for planting projects are being received in greater and greater volume until j now, in many instances, it is impossible to meet the demand.’’

That is the kind of co-operation which is urgently needed in New Zealand.