Forest logging

Press, 27 July 1978, Page 16

Forest logging

Sir, — The article by Cedric Mentiplay on native forests (July 24) makes some cogent comment on the current controversy. But he oversimplifies and distorts the issue by suggesting that conservationists’ demands automatically imply “regional disaster” for sawmilling communities. In Westland, if all proposed reserves are implemented, the timber lost to production is no more than two years supply. For years past, West Coast mills have been consistently under-cutting their allowances, so that N.F.A.C. proposals for a reduction in those allowances will make little appreciable difference to current output. For Mr Mentiplay to state that “an unculled forest is a sick forest” is quite ridiculous: were the forests of New Zealand “sick” for millions of years before the arrival of man? Decaying forest trees are rich storehouses of food for bird, plant and insect life, part of an undying cycle of regeneration. — Yours, etc PETER HOOPER. Chairman, West Coast branch National Forest Action Council. July 24, 1978.