Danger Signs From Pollution “Evident”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31765, 23 August 1968, Page 7

Danger Signs From Pollution “Evident”

The full effects of pollution had not yet been felt by New Zealand but the danger signs were evident, Professor G. A. Knox, professor of zoology at the University of Canterbury, said in a public lecture.

The lecture was arranged by the Workers' Education Association. Professor Knox said that environmental pollution was now becoming a major threat to the world. Pollution took many forms. Ineluding radioactive wastes and fall-out, pesticides and herbicides, vehicles’ exhaust fumes, smoke and fumes from domestic fires and industry, wastes from industrial processes, and domestic sewage. Professor Knox slid that New Zealand was fortunate in having an opportunity to learn by the mistakes which had been made by more heavily-populated and industrialised countries and so avoid catastrophic effects on the environment But action must be taken soon.

A much-increased research effort would be needed to accumulate Information on the present condition of streams and lakes to act as a yardstick by which to measure change. “At present as far as I am aware, there is no Government biologist working full time on pollution problems. This calls for Immediate action,” he said.

Professor Knox said that pollution was increasing as the population expanded and, although nature had great powers of recuperation, there

was a limit to what it could take.

“We eannot continue to exploit and contaminate our natural resources at the present rate,” he said. “Our goal should not be to conquer the living world but to live in harmony with it” Speaking about water pollution in a question-and-answer

session at the end of the lecture, Professor Knox said that the Comalco aluminium smelter at “Bluff would be one of the worst type Of industries for producing pollution waste. At this time someone should be looking at the possible effects of this on the oyster beds in Foveaux Strait