Waitutu Forest

Press, 16 June 1983, Page 16

Waitutu Forest

Sir,—Some 80 years ago in a twinge of conscience this coastal strip was bestowed as “land for landless natives.” It was not by chance that the land had no attraction to Europeans for settlement and “improvement.” “Maoris ought to be aware that New Zealand now had only remnants of once mighty lowland forests,” Dr Shearer impertinently intones. How could they forget? “Since 1840, 11 million hectares of our indigenous forests have been cleared for farming,” Dr Shearer again. Little of the enormous wealth from this exploitation has gone to the Maoris, who are still expected to bear the cost of heritage preservation. The Government has had the option of lease exchange for other land capable of providing income, but has chosen not only to do nothing but even to provide incentives through the Rural Bank for further clearfelling. If Dr Shearer fails to persuade his National colleagues to offer compensation to save Waitutu’s 2800 hectares, only his resignation as Minister for the Environment will retrieve his lost credibility. — Yours, etc., ERIC BENNETT. June 12, 1983.