‘Realistic’ view

Press, 4 October 1977, Page 5

‘Realistic’ view

By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

Commenting or? the announcement of the National Parks Authority’s recommendations for additions to the Westland and Mount Aspiring national parks, the Minister of Lands and Forests (Mr V. S. Young) said he would take careful note of the authority’s views. “The authority has given me its opinion based on its specialised knowledge of national parks,” said Mr Young. “And the Government will consider that opinion with advice from marly other sources, so as to make decisions about land use in South Westland in the interests of the region and New Zealand as a whole.” Mr Young said that the

authority had itself recognised that the future of the milling and mining industries, and the economic effects of its recommendations were factors wnich had to be taken into account when final decisions were being made. These factors could not be assessed by the authority, which had therefore made its recommendations on national park values only. “This is a realistic attitude,” Mr Young said. “Because of this approach, the authority has been able to give me its views on the optimum boundaries of the two parks. It is important that I have this information so that full weight can be given

to national park considerations when the complex of environmental, economic, and social factors is being considered.”

The Minister does not expect to be able to respond immediately to the authority’s recommendations. He intends to consult the Minister of Mines about the proposals, which include the intention to recommend addition of the mineralised Red Hills area to Mount Aspiring National Park and will require a full evaluation of the many submissions made in response to his invitation before final decisions are reached or? the use of the Crown owned areas in South Westland.