BEECH SEMINAR

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33261, 26 June 1973, Page 14

BEECH SEMINAR

‘Five points of view’ (Trom Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, June 25. “Trees before Coasters” was the attitude of most speakers at a Christchurch seminar at the week-end on proposals to utilise beech forests, said Mr P. Blanchfield. the member of Parliament for the West Coast today.

The only Parliamentarian to speak at the seminar, Mr Blanchfield said the only value he saw in the meeting was that it gave opponents and supporters of the proposals a chance to air the widely differing views. He said that after hearing the various speakers, it was possible to divide the supporters, or opponents of the scheme, into five groups. There were those who opposed the cutting of any beech at all; those who demanded a long-term postponement of the scheme; those who opposed all utilisation except for sawn timber; those who favoured pulping so long as no replacement exotics were planted; and those who supported the scheme, “recognising the future benefits it holds for the West Coast.” “I was not amazed, but surprised to see the extent to which many of these people were prepared to sacrifice West Coasters,” said Mr Blanchfield.

"It was the opinion of most that trees should come before people,” he said.