Futures points finger at conservationists

Press, 9 May 1983, Page 8

Futures points finger at conservationists

Conservationists, the news media, regional development, and the bureaucratic system took a beating at the inaugural conference of Federated Futures in Greymouth on Saturday. “The hard edge of conservationism has made its contribution to unemployment by locking up resources which should have been developed, and should have created employment,” the society’s legal adviser, Mr J. D. Dalgety, told the conference. “The conservationist lobby, which is terribly important in this country, has jumped the tracks in some respects: it is proceeding blindly and senselessly in its opposition to the responsible development of resources, and it will cost us dear until we get them back on the right track,” said Mr Dalgety, a Wellington lawyer.

It was the task of Federated Futures to “get the conservationists to think

more responsibly in their role.”

Federated Futures was formed last September by West Coast Futures, Save Our South Westland, and the Westland Chamber of Commerce. Its motto is “Working with Nature” and its constitution is based on the theme, “Responsible development of natural resources.”

Since then, it has attracted a membership of 1500.

Mr Dalgety suggested that the society form a chartiable, non-profitable, non-political foundation, with which to “knock unemployment for six.” The foundation should concentrate its research on improving employment opportunities not only on the West Coast but nationally. It should get the support of the Government, unions, and employers. Subjects which should be researched included new technology, what services

and skills were required for the future, and training people in skills to use natural resources to protect small settlements. The conference was attended by about 90 people, who representated 32 organisations including women’s groups, unions, forestry workers, and the Fishermen’s Association.

Mr Dalgety was the first of many speakers to address the conference.

The Minister of Labour, Mr Bolger; the editor of the Catholic newspaper, the “Tablet,” Mr J. P. Kennedy, the member of Parliament for the West Coast, Mr T. K. Burke: and the chairman of Mawhera Inc., Mr S. O’Regan, were among the other speakers. Mr Kennedy warned Federated Futures of the opposition it would have to face, especially the environmental groups. The society should be specific in setting out what should be gained from de-

velopment, to make a strong stand against these groups. “There are many people out there who are more concerned about bugs, plants, and birds than they are about people,” said Mr Kennedy. Mr Bolger was meant to open the conference, but arrived late from Ohakea because of bad weather.

It had been expected that he would talk about the proposed addition of South Okarito and Waikukupa State forests to Westland National Park.

His only comment on the subject was: “It is not my intention to speak in detail on the still unresolved question of National Park boundaries.”

He went on to say that the West Coast needed to look at job-creation opportunities. “Your concern about the future, particularly the fate of the forest-based industries, is understood,” he

said. “It is important that

you look at all job-creation opportunities, not to lock yourselves into preconceived or historic views of where jobs come from.”

He emphasised the need for further development of the tourist industry, craftsmen, and in particular work with greenstone. Some rebuttal to the first speakers came from Mr O’Regan, the chairman of Mawhera Inc., which represents the Maori landowners on the West Coast.. Next to the State, they are the largest landowners in Westland.

“I say to Federated Futures, which I support unequivocally, to do away with the tired slogans which have been bandied about today, and not to talk about extreme environmentalists,” he said.

“I am apalled by the selective theology which I have heard here. Base your case on care, research, and an honest review of our relationship with the landscape,” he said. Mr O’Regan said the Maoris were going to stay on the Coast, and would be investing a substantial amount of money in it.