Paparoa national park

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 14

Paparoa national park

Sir, — Now that the Government has announced the creation of reserves on the West Coast it appears that more than 70 per cent of the Paparoas will be covered by reserves of one kind or another. Yet as ecological amenity and protection reserves, they will be relatively unknown to the public. On the other hand, as part of a Paparoa national park (and the Paparoas are certainly of national park quality), they will have greater status and will attract visitors to the West Coast. These visitors able to enjoy the Paparoas in a responsible manner, will be able to contribute to the local economy. I support the Paparoa national park proposal, and hope that all West Coasters will be able to see the advantages and support it as well. — Yours, etc., KEITH MURRAY. May 10, 1979.

Sir, — The National Parks Authority will soon decide on the suitability of the Paparoas for a national park. It is important that this

decision be free from political interference. Unfortunately, the Minister of Forests, by announcing a few token reserves in the Paparoas, has pre-empted the national park investigations by the authority. Forest sought for inclusion in the park was described by the Minister as being part of “the minimum resource for planning the future of the West Coast sawmilling industry.” The Minister appears to be trying to pressure the members of the authority, several of whom are Government officials, into deciding against the national park proposal. This interference by the Minister in the workings of the National Parks Authority is deplorable. The Minister of Forests finally seems to have trampled the Minister of Lands and the Minister of the Environment into the dust.—Yours, etc., K. D. SMITH. May 6, 1979.