NATIVE FLORA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 25, 30 January 1926, Page 17

NATIVE FLORA.

PLAN FOR PRESERVATION.

DUTY TO POSTERITY.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") DUSTEDIN', this day. A strong plea for the preservation of the native flora of New Zealand was made by Mr. George A. Green (secretary of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture) at the midsummer conference of that body. Mr. Green pointed out that there were in Dunedin a number of people who were enthusiasts in the matter of the collection and preservation of our New Zealand native plants, and he suggested that they should get together and form an association for the preservation of our native flora. "It depends on our actions at this juncture," said Mr. Green, "whether- we leave to posterity anything like a full heritage in the shape of our native flora, or whether we leave them barren hills and stone slopes where our forests once grew. The population of New Zealand is now a little over 1,000,000, but I am sure that 100 years hence it will be over 10,000,000, and the preservation of our native flora is a most important matter." Mr. Tucker, director of Wanganui Reserves, supported the proposal, and expressed the opinion that they should try to foster the cultivation of native flora. Mr. Tannock said he thought the matter might be left over till a later date, and his suggestion was agreed to.