NATIVE TIMBER RESOURCES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30145, 31 May 1963, Page 14

NATIVE TIMBER RESOURCES

Society Expresses Concern The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand views with concern the apparent onslaught on the remaining available stands of indigenous timbers, particularly at Taupo, the Bay of Plenty, the West Coast, Jackson's Bay, and Southland, says the annual report of the society, which will be presented at the annual meeting in Wellington on June 1. The report says that in view of the availability of good exotic timbers the society had hoped that more restraint would have been exercised in opening up the few remaining indigenous stands. “There seems to be an urge to convert the trees into cash, and this must lead to problems in a few years. Moreover, each tree felled funther reduces the habitat of our forest-inhabiting frugivorous and nectar-loving birds,” the report Mys. It adds that the society also views with concern the continuing loss of wet-land bird habitat, because of the reclamation and draining of swampy areas. It has pressed for mane protection of pukeko and paradise duck where these are now becoming rare. Support is given by the society to the efforts of the Government to remove the threat by noxious animals in forests and on steep mountain ranges. “In particular we support the efforts made to reduce damage to our national parks caused by noxious animals.” The opossum problem should be met by the Government, the society considers. The society now has six branches and 14 active sections.