Buller forests

Press, 7 April 1982, Page 16

Buller forests

Sir,—l am not surprised at K. Jones' letter (March 31). This is what the people of South Westland foresaw when we asked the Minister of Lands

and Forests to change the decision, to include South Okarito and Waikukupa State Forests into the National Park. Karamea is another West Coast community at stake, destined to join a chain of ghost towns along the West Coast. What is actually the aim of the conservationists — to preserve the forests of New Zealand or to cripple the economy of the country? Look at the smelter performance. The people of the Buller region can be assured of the support and understanding of the majority of the people of South Westland.—Yours, etc., L. D. ORCHARD. ■ April 2, 1982.

Sir,—A pamphlet just produced by Westland Conservancy, “Management of the Paparoas:. Something for Everyone," tells us that rimu and beech are fine woods, distinctive to this country, suitable for furniture, turning, panelling and other decorative uses, and that the Forest Ser r vice aim is to make restricted quantities available to New Zealanders in perpetuity with the West Coast being the major source. What then is the meaning of this Buller plan with its proposals to mill 100 per cent of the merchantable rimu over the next 30 years — a procedure which the plan itself admits will frustrate proper sustained field silviculture of the forests? The purpose of the plan, notwithstanding that no existing timber commitments extend beyond 1986, is clearly to maintain the sawmillers in the style to which they have become accustomed — a style which has nothing to do with a restricted supply of decorative timbers. Does the Forest Service speak with two voices: that of the professional forester, and of the departmental manager?—Yours, etc.,

ERIC BENNETT. April 4, 1982.