Conservation corps priority

Press, 12 June 1986, Page 9

Conservation corps priority

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington An early priority for the new Department of Conservation will be the setting up of a conservation corps, according to the Minister of Conservation, Mr Marshall. He said a corps would give people with different skills the chance to serve for up to a year restoring old buildings, clearing tracks in parks and reserves, supporting the work of the Wildlife Service, doing archaeological excavations, and other tasks. Those in the corps would be paid a nominal wage, and many, among them retired people, would be happy to serve.

At first only a handful of people might be involved, but later there could be hundreds, Mr Marshall said. He had discussed with the Minister of Employment, Mr Burke, the possibility of having work for the Department of Conservation in the new Access training scheme for young people; funding would come from the Labour Department. To fund a conservation corps approval for extra spending for the new Department of Conservation would be necessary, Mr Marshall said. The new Director-Gen-eral of Conservation, Mr Ken Piddington, had been asked to investigate the

concept with a view to establishing a conservation corps soon after the new department began work on January 1 next year.