Problems Seen In N.Z. Soil Work

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30562, 3 October 1964, Page 14

Problems Seen In N.Z. Soil Work

There were “potential difficulties” and some problems, under the present arrangement, for soil conservation and river control work in New Zealand, Dr. D. A. Williams, head of the soil conservation service of the United States Department of Agriculture, said in Christchurch yesterday.

Dr; Williams is in New Zealand at the invitation of the New Zealand Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council to appraise the work being done here.

He said that after inspecting field operations and conferring with heads of the various Government departments and Cabinet Ministers, he would bring down a report which will possibly include some recommendations. However, he expected his report would deal in principles, not in details. Getting Co-ordination New Zealand did not appear to have a “clear-cut” organisation which went from Government policy to field operation solely for soil conservation and river control work, Dr. Williams said. This could bring about some problems in getting co-ordin-ation and co-operation from

all the various departments and bodies concerned. It could also mean that soil conservation work could be subject to an uneven distribution of attention from the various department's. From one department the council might not be receiving adequate attention, while from another there could be too much on conservation work,, In the United States the Soil Conservation Service had a very broad authority, which extended from national government level to the soil and water conservation districts that were similar to New Zealand’s catchment boards, but had a Wider function.

From a strictly technical standpoint, Dr. Williams said, it was difficult to compare fully the United States and the New Zealand conservation programmes and arrangements. However, he guessed that there was a “considerable lack of research work” in New Zealand to support some of the things that appeared to be needed. Impatience Found Although he had not been in this country very long he had detected a degree of impatience by some catchment boards because they could not move rapidly enough. Dr. Williams said there was no doubt that the key to increasing production, and for stabilised production, was the proper use of soil conservation and water control. Since his arrival early this week, Dr. Williams has had talks with some Cabinet Ministers, and has inspected conservation work and problems in the Nelson and Blenheim areas. He will make further inspections of the work being done in the South Island during the next week and will confer again with Governmental and other authorities before he returns to the United States. At present, he said it was too early for him to be able to fully assess the problems facing soil conservation work in New Zealand and to make any recommendations. He was very impressed with the treatment he had received since his arrival and of the help and co-operation shown to him by all concerned.