Managing director replies to article on forest burn-off

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 5

Managing director replies to article on forest burn-off

The managing director of the Karamea Panelling Company, Mr R. S. Shirley, has objected to statements in an article in “The Press” on August 15 about the burning of an area of the North-West Forest Park. Mr Shirley said that the article did not represent . the views of Karamea millers.

(The article was wrongly attributed to a staff correspondent of “The Press.” It was contributed by a West Coast journalist and should not have been attributed to Barry Simpson, Nelson correspondent of “The Press.”). “There are only two sawmills in Karamea, and the larger of the two is owned by the Karamea Panelling Company,” said- Mr Shirley. “I have not spoken to a newspaper reporter about the controversy and therefore the views expressed in the article cannot be asserted to be those of ‘Karamea millers.’

“The published report is sensationalised, over-emo-tional, and very definitely does not express the views of our company, which have never been sought. The article falls into the category much deplored by West Coasters, in that it amounts to a hit-and-run attack on a West Coast-owned and operated organisation. “What are the facts? First, the burn-off which sparked

off the controversy did not cover 600 hectares as suggested in the article; the area burnt was about 34 hectares. Forest Service plans call for the establishment of a 600-hectare exotic resource over a period, including plantings already made,” said Mr Shirley. “Second, the excessive use of rhetoric,. including such lines as ‘a din of screaming steel and wood’ to describe a sawmill must surely be the emotive reaction of a city slicker who has never lifted anything heavier than a pencil in his life. The proof of a pudding is in the eating and our customers would be quick to confirm that the timber produced by that mill is among the best there is in

respect to sawing accuracy, grading, and general presentation.

“Third, the categorical statement in the article that ‘millers’ have little confidence in long-term prospects at Karamea is inflammatory, and without foundation in our case, at least. The Forest Service would be failing in its public duty if it gave carte blanche assurances of long-term rights without qualification, “In direct contradiction to the tenor of the article, our company is currently working on plans for substantial capital investment in the near future which will result in increased local content in our products and increased employment opportunities in

the region,” Mr Shirley said. “We are confident that when these plans are., finalised and submitted to the Forest Service will be scrutinised with impartiality and objectivity. If they . comply with the over-all objective of maximising the utilisation of indigenous wood, then, and only then, will we be in a position to request some long-term security to protect the necessary investment.

“Fourth, we totally disclaim any degree of agreement with a Mr Peter-Lusk, reported as being a local resident and a member of the Native Forest Action Council. We have never had discussions with Mr Lusk,

and while we respect his right to express his views, to infer as the article does that we agree with him is totally incorrect.

■ "Finally, it is always easy to find critics of any public body target such as the Forest Service. In our view, the Forest Service are the onlypeople who have done their homework thoroughly, who have considered all the relevant facts, and who have made their decisions accordingly.” Mr Shirley said. “Their over-all motives in this matter are wholly commendable - a blend of mul-tiple-use forestry under the aegis of Forest Park principles and deep concern for the social implications upon a small isolated community where sawmilling and related activities contribute significantly to that community’s services and wellbeing.” Mr Shirley said that his company strongly supported the Forest Service in what it was trying to do. “If there is a better way of doing it. they will find it. Moreover, in contrast to the extensively recorded views of one resident dissident, we are absolutely confident also that the Karamea community as a whole are deeply appreciative of the support to the district given by Forest Service policies and activities in the area.”