Mountain clubs challenge P.M.

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 30

Mountain clubs challenge P.M.

PA Wellington Mountain clubs have contested a statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, that administering high-country pastoral leases is simple. The vice-president of Federated Mountain Clubs, Dr Hugh Barr, of Wellington, said that managing the high country would become simple if Mr Lange’s solution — control of leases by the Land Development Management Corporation — were adopted. Corporation control would destroy the checks

and balances of the present system in which the Land Settlement Board set policies and had a quasijudicial function in resolving conflicts and disputes, Dr Barr said. “The corporation’s role is to maximise production. If it is allowed to control the land it will form an impregnable power bloc with runholders,” he said. “The Government proposed that the Conservation Department would have vague powers to protect conservation and recreation values. "Without control of the land this formula would be worthless,” he Said. Dr Barr said a fair solution was the one advocated by the conservation recreation movement, vesting pastoral lease land in a neutral agency. The stewardship division of the department could perform the role. It was also vital to retain an independent body to perform lahd settlement board functions, he said.