Native forest control

Press, 29 June 1985, Page 18

Native forest control

Sir,—ln “Letting light into forests” (June 26) you argue that it is unfair that the Forest Service cannot publicly argue its case against the Government’s foreshadowed policy to transfer control of native forests. Is it also unfair that it cannot arrange for a re-run of the last General Election? Under our constitutional conventions politicians, not partial bureaucrats, establish policy. Notwithstanding these conventions the Forest Service has functioned as a public pressure group, judging by reports in “The Press.” The Director-Gen-eral of Forests has put his department’s case on several occasions using flimsy pretexts (i.e. releasing Ministerial advice, rebutting personal “slurs”) and other groups (e.g. Timber Federation, Institute of Foresters) have fired Forest Service bullets. Forest Service staff have written letters supporting their case and leaked extracts from its Cabinet paper, arguing to retain control of native forests, have appeared. Moreover your editorial adds a few points they may have overlooked.—Yours, etc., P. S. GRANT. Nelson, June 26, 1985.