Clearing of land

Press, 9 June 1980, Page 18

Clearing of land

Sir, — The Rural Bank’s reply regarding development loans was predictable considering its poor conservation record to date. The confidentiality argument is no excuse as all landowners’ titles and appended, mortgages are open, to public viewing anyway. The brief mention of wildlife values, etc., on the loan brochure is farcical when taxpayers’ money is offered so generously and a Rural Bank officer pleads on television for more farmers to use the loans. In reluctant response to public concern that the loans cause destruction of wildlife habitat (including that of kiwis) the bank’s head office notified all of its district managers, appraisers and field advisors in April, 1979, that farmers seeking loans were to be informed to consult their local Wildlife Branch Officer. In Christchurch at least, the bank’s staff are failing to carry out this simple directive. From about 80 loan approvals there have been no consultations regarding bush habitat. — Yours, etc., B. A. CALDER. June 7, 1980.

Sir, — As a taxpayer I object to my money going to the farmers to clear precious areas of native bush to graze sheep. on. The area I refer to is in Pigeon Bay. Surely New Zealand has enough sheep already, v hereas our native birds and bush are being destroyed unnecessarily. —

Yours, etc., MARGARET AYERS June 4, 1980.