DESTRUCTION OF WAIPOUA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 30 August 1926, Page 9

DESTRUCTION OF WAIPOUA.

LABOUR MEMBER PROTESTS.

THE GOVERNMENT PERSISTENT

A ROAD WILL GO THROUGH. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. "May I ask if it is the Government's intention to go on with the road through the Waipoua Forest?" asked Mr M. J. Savage (Auckland West), during the course of a speech in the House of Representatives on Saturday ifternoon. "It is the definite intention," interjec\ed the Prime Minister, raietly. "I'm very sorry to hear that," retorted Mr. Savage. "Bad news," said the Hon. W. Nosworthy. "Yes, it is," replied the Labour member. "That's it!" returned Mr. Coates. "It has knocked the hon. gentleman off* his pins!" (Laughter.) "Might I ask if it is intended to commence the work this year?" asked Mr. Savage. "Looking at the Estimates I can't tell. There are names here which I, for one, couldn't pronounce, they might apply to the North Pole, or some other remote place I am informed' that the forest comprises some 300,00b,000ft of timber, of which 100,000,000 ft is kauri. Mr. Coates: That 's so. Mr. Savage: Well, I think it will be the end of the kauri if this road goes through. Mr. Coates: Oh, nonsense I Mr. Savage said he was assured that only four miles would be saved by making the road. Mr. Coates: Why not go through the forest ? Mr. Savage: Simply because it will then be exposed to all the dangers of fire, and it will be an expensive matter to keep the road open One man would be required on the job all the time. Mr. Coates: Three men are employed now] Mr. Savage: Well, it will mean three dozen later on, if that is so. The Prime Minister: 0L no. It won't make the slightest difference. Mr. Savag- said the greedy eyes of the sawmillers were on the forest. There was quite a big field there, and if they could get a st.i.t, it would soon be the end of it. The kauri would be doomed. The Prime Minister: They have tried to burn that forest for years and years, and it won't ourn. Mr. Savage suggested that it was the Government that was green, not the f of est. Hon. W. Nosworthy said travellers could hear the birds singing when a road was put through. Mr. Savage said there had been some excellent articles in the Auckland "Star" on the question, including an editorial, and if the Ministers would only take the trouble to read . them, they would soon find that there was something more to be said than what their departmental advisers had recommended. Personally, Mr. Savage regretted, the destruction of this tract of bushland, and did not think ther was any good reason for it.