Forest and land use

Press, 9 May 1984, Page 16

Forest and land use

Sir,—Mr Blackadder (April 28) repeats weary Government propaganda that “our think big and irrigation schemes have been made trebly expensive” by “theorists” and various conservationists and fanatics. Yet this opposition to illadvised schemes has saved the country immense expense. The proposed.. smelter at Aramoana, an

economic disaster, was stopped when even the Government had to accept the figures “theorists” put forward. The Karioi pulp mill, given by the Government as an example of the need to avoid planning delays, has needed millions of our dollars to prop it up. Another disaster is brewing now, as Ministers intend mining Waikato coal without proper investigation. If Mr Blackadder’s lovely valley were to be despoiled without asking him he might take a different view of public participation in the planning process. The “theorists” he castigates are among our unsung and unrewarded heroes. Their advice can still save us from environmental and economic disaster.—Yours, etc., D. J. ROUND. May 5, 1984.

Sir,—Forestry, if altered to cater for tourism, will continue to be economically unattractive with discounted returns comparing poorly against compounded costs. There is no real conflict between conventional forest management proposals and the development of tourism, although your correspondent Guy Salmon wishes to alarm readers. If maximum tourism development is pursued, there will be conflict with preservationists because greater numbers of paying tourists, and Mr Salmon thinks we want them, are only going to make New Zealand their destination if further attractions are provided. How about a Karamea-Collingwood road link, and gondolas and hightechnology facilities on to the glaciers, snowfields and pinnacles of the Southern Alps? After all, it is new jobs that count. Strange though, was it not some action group complaining the other day about the Forest Service’s Heaphy Track becoming so flash that any visitor or tourist might choose to walk along it?—Yours, etc., C. D. GLEASON, Totara Flat. May 6, 1984.

Sir,—Throughout New Zealand there are probably upward of 50 small to medium-sized exotic forests being established for 30-year growing cycles. Many are State forests investing taxpayers’ funds for the future, and providing local wood supplies. Costs incurred during establishment are carried forward at various nominal interest rates, allowing calculation of real income at the time of harvesting. Westland is no different from any other area in New Zealand. Kaingaroa Forest, where demand for wood exceeds the supply, illustrates the importance of such policies of planting. Indigenous forests, however, are different, and (excluding national parks, reserves, etc.) represent assets valued at more than SIOOOM in timber that has incurred no growing costs. Careful sustained yield use of these forests, is like receiving interest from the bank, and after allowing for replanting and management still generates considerable income for the Government and the people of New Zealand.—Yours, etc., M. J. ORCHARD. May 7, 1954.