Minister On Conservation

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32265, 7 April 1970, Page 26

Minister On Conservation

INew Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 6. It was good to hear the battle cry “conservation” round the country, the Minister of Lands (Mr Maclntyre) said at a Rotary Club luncheon in Wellington today. But the cry would be even better if some of those shouting the loudest had a clearer idea of what they were shouting for, he said.

Pollution, noise, waste of resources, destruction of land cover, loss of public access to back country and the seashores were all aspects which concerned the conservationists.

“Basically, conservation in this country means that we, as a people, have both collective and individual responsibilities to ensure that New Zealand does not become an inferioi place in which to live.” The most important aspect of conservation was planning, the Minister said. “We must plan to protect unique values and to settle

conflicts in land use before they can arise. “In this country we have not yet felt the full impact of competition for land, for there has been and still is sufficient land available to meet the needs of a small Deputation. Lake Manapouri

“But there has already been direct confrontation over the use to be made of particular areas: for example. Lake Manapouri. “It is realistic to say that it will never be possible to avoid making some decisions on land use which are essentially compromises, or which must prefer one use to another.

“Conservation versus exploitation is a familiar battle ground,” Mr Maclntyre said. Planning to ensure a wise balance of conservation and use was moving forward faster than ever before—“bui much of it is un-co-ordinated.

“If all the organisations that have their hearts set on conservation—often, only a very narrow aspect of conservation would co-ordinate through the Nature Conservation Council, they would speak with a powerful voice." “Insular” Concern

The Minister said that for many years New Zealand had been concerned with land use and conservation generally, but the people’s concern had been insular.

“It is sobering to realise that, of a world list of 300 rare and endangered birds, one in XI is in New Zealand.

“It is important to recognise and accept that we hold the fate of certain rare and disappearing wildlife in trust, not just for ourselves, but for the world," Mr Maclntyre said.

“There is a need for a planned scheme of protection to ensure an adequate coverage of wet-land areas throughout the country to support the wildlife that inhabits them.”