Conservationists’ call for wildlife report refused

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 26

Conservationists’ call for wildlife report refused

PA Wellington Wildlife Service comments on environmental effects of proposed local hydro schemes would not be officially released, said the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs (Mr Comber).

Both the Association of Scientists and the annual conference of the Environmental and Conservation Organisations have called for release of the report prepared in December last year. The conference expressed annoyance and concern about the Government’s refusal to release the report, and said it should be available in full without further procrastination.

However, Mr Comber said that the report was strictly a study document prepared for Government Ministers. “I do not know what all the fuss is about,” he said. It had been printed in full in a Wellington newspaper in May.

“I am not responsible for someone along the way who unofficially released it but I have no intention to make an official release."

Parts of the report were printed in Wellington's “Dominion" newspaper on May 28, listing proposed schemes and Wildlife Service assessments' on likely environmental consequences.

Unpublished were comments believed to be attached to the published list. About 80 representatives of 10 national and 50 regional conservation interest groups attended the week-end conference.

Remits passed by delegates criticised the standard of speakers sent to the conference by the National Party and Labour Party while congratulating a Social Credit spokesman; endorsed the conservation strategy released last month by the Nature Conservation Council; and outlined plans for an education programme on Government “think big” projects. 1 ■ ■ ■ •