MUST BE CURBED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 243, 13 October 1936, Page 3

MUST BE CURBED.

AXE AND FIRESTICK

BUSH PRESERVATION. DEPARTMENTAL CONFERENCE It is reported that an inter-depart-mental conference of executive heads, whose work deals with local government, forestry, lands and- agriculture, will shortly be held in Wellington to plan a scheme for native busli preservation and the planting of the Dominion's highways with trees. New Zealand's centennial, which is but three years distant, is'said to have given the project impetus. The scheme to be drawn up is spoken of as being comprehensive in its scope and practicable.. When( completed the proposals are to be submitted to the Government for consideration, and later discussed with interested organisations. The report was mentioned to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, to-day. "I am not able to give particulars now —later on perhaps—of what is proposed," ' said the Minister, "but I can say definitely that members of the Government are sincere in their desire to see our native bush preserved for the people. There is no greater asset than our native bush. I am glad to find that the citizens of the Dominion are awakening to that fact." Planting on Highways. Mr. Parry said that several conferences already had been held in regard to tree preservation, and the planting of trees along the highways, and others would follow. "We are all deeply interested in the work, and I might take the liberty of mentioning that New Zealand lias 110 greater admirer of its flora, and 110 more active champion of its preservation, than his Excellency Lord Galway," added the Minister. An agitation —many times' revived over many years —by bush lovers for the laying out with native trees and shrubs the bare spaces along the principal highways of the Dominion has had a greater effect on the present Government than it had with past Governments. Enthusiasts among horticultural and beautifying societies in the project say that the official sympathetic front now shown is due to there being one or two of the personnel of the Govern-' mcnt as ardent as the societies in their desire to preserve native bush, and to plant trees where trees could be planted. Among the members of the Cabinet who are keen bush lovers are the Prime Minister, the Eight Hon. M. J. Savage, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, and the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone. All have shown by their public utterances that —as Mr. Parry recently put it—"the axe and the firestick must be curbed in our native bush." The societies and citizens, with zeal in their agitation, applaud the official help which they claim is now in sight to save the native trees wherever possible, and. by spirited action in that way, they consider a service would be rendered to New Zealand for all time.