Milling Of Beech Forest

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31768, 27 August 1968, Page 16

Milling Of Beech Forest

Sir, —Spoliation of our native forest has reached the limit of human stupidity. The Government proposes to commit the crime of milling our beech forests, in Nelson initially. The last of our native milling timbers is fast disappearing and now it is the turn of the beech forest. Large-scale erosion may be expected soon after the milling and this will not be stopped by planting a few exotics. As an alternative, could the Government consider, planting the thousands of acres of high-country tussock land such as the McKenzie basin using the unemployed labour now available? The Southern Alps may be the backbone of the South Island, but it is the beech forest which holds it together. —Yours, etc., A.G.F. August 25, 1968.

Sir,—The retention of our soil and control of water, including artesian supplies, depend on keeping our mountain ranges and steeper hills well covered with native bush. The various associations of native trees are the most efficient for the purpose and best suited to each site.

Yet it is proposed to fell at least 90,000 acres of beech rain forest, on very difficult land in the Nelson district, for sale to Japan. Apparently it is naively hoped that in the interval between felling and regrowth there will be no accelerated erosion or effects on climate. Those who would replant the area in exotics must surely be aware of the increasing inroads of various fungi in the forests of introduced trees, let alone changes in demand. Those who want timber can surely get out and plant it for themselves rather than destroy a national asset.—Yours, etc., VULAN. August 26, 1968.