Bill To Protect Scenery

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29890, 2 August 1962, Page 14

Bill To Protect Scenery

(From Out Parliamentary Kcportcr) WELLINGTON. August 1. Assessment of the impact public works can make on scenery will be a major task of the proposed nature conservation council, Parliament was told tonight. The council is to be set up as an independent body to advise the Government. It is aimed at providing a valuable safeguard against engineering development which does not take scenic values sufficiently into account. The Minister of Lands. Mr Gerard, said this in the second reading debate of a bill authorising the council to be established.

Mr Gerard said there was a world-wide problem in reconciling industrial development and conservation The Aratiatia and Manapouri controversies emphasised the need for an expert advisory body on preserving scenic areas and native flora and fauna. The council would advise the Government after coordinating scientific and technical information. Thus, the Government could make an informed decision on any project under consideration. "If the Government decides to proceed, the council can make recommendations to remove undesirable features from the project or to minimise their effect. Mr Gerard said. The council’s scope would include: Power to hold inquiries on conservation matters. Powers of a commission of inquiry (with the consent of the Minister of Lands). Responsibility to draw up a national policy tor nature conservation. Responsibility of a central body to hear the views of organisations and people interested in nature conservation. Mr Gerard said the bill provided for a council of five to seven, appointed by the Governor-Genera) on the recommendation of the Minister. Members would be people with special knowledge, scientific qualifications or simply an interest in nature conservation. There would be no exjflicio appointments, but the chairman of the National Parks Authority could attend meetings, without the right to vo:e “This will ensure the authority—which administers five million acres—will know the thinking of the nature conservation council," he said The council would have a I secretary and other such offi-

cers as might be necessary. They would be attached to the Lands and Survey Department for pay and rations, and use its accounting and administration facilities A similar council already operated in Britain, he said. Mr Gerard said New Zealand had set aside one acre in 15 as national parks The move to form the council was evidence of the Government » wish to see national parks and other scenic areas and native bird and plant life protected Sir Eruera Tirikatcne (Opposition, Southern Maori) asked what the position of private land owners was under the bill. It specifically pointed out public works. He said the bill was introduced about 100 years too late. Mr R E. Jack (Government, Patea) said New Zealand had been dragging her anchor in conservation for some decades. Power Pylons The miles and miles of pylons seen in the view towards Ruapehu from the Desert road were unnecessary and unsightly, said Mr Jack. The Minister of Electricity <Mr Goosman): Where would they go? Mr Jack: In a position where they would not be between the eyes of the viewer and the mountain, either nearer the mountain or on the other side of the road Mr P Blanchfield (Opposition. Westland) questioned the wisdom of setting up the nature conservation council There were already two bodies that were able to do the work—the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council and the National Parks Board “This bill can be taken as a result of the public outcry against raising the level of Lake Manapouri." he said. Mr J H. George (Government. Otago Central) said the council would not only watch over the operations of the Public Works Department, which some imagined to be the greatest destroyer of scenic attractions in the past. "We have been so eager to go ahead that preservation of our natural assets has taken second place.” he said. It should not be beyond the capabilities of engineers to divert power line and telegraph line routes at times "Poatman” for Complaints Mr N. E. Kirk (Labour, Lyttelton) labelled the council “a High Court without a police "orce" It could make recommendations but lacked •he power to enforce them U was a "postman" for those who had complaints. “I would also have expected the rights ot private property iwners to destroy scenic attractions to be considered in the bill,” said Mr Kirk Replying Mr Gerard said: 'There is no window-dressing n this bill The various in•eiested organisations have been consulted, and the b 11 has received very good support It i« true we have veered away from National Party policy, but not to a very great extent. “The chairman of the National Parks Board wilt be oresent at the council's meetings. and will be the liaison between it and the Government ’’ Mr Gerard said the clauses of the bill could be altered to include publication of the council's recommendations m its annual report. They could be altered, as well, to cover local body works and other works in addition to public works. The bill was given a second reading, unopposed.

Renunciation is itself the !? w ®f life.—Mohandas K.