Conservation

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 12

Conservation

Sir,—Patrick Neary’s letter (November 17) surprised and disturbed. I respect his efforts in focusing attention on Christchurch’s smog problem. He, the “greenles,” and others striving to Impress society about some perceived problem have every right to do so, with whatever fervour they can muster. Thus they Influence the political process, but they should not become our elected representatives unless they can convince a constituency of the worth of their total set of values for society. Resources spent on preserving the environment must be justified against fewer doctors, teachers, ark galleries, policemen, polltlcidk, diplomats, soldiers, etc. To th®e directly concerned about

losses of resources, I would promote economic efficiency. Our protection of industry increases the resource cost per unit of output; for us to condone the destruction of some two or three times as many resources to produce a car as is necessary is an almost obscene wastage. — Yours, etc., JOHN W. WOOD. November 17, 1987.