SAVING NATIVE BUSH

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 182, 30 April 1936, Page 15

SAVING NATIVE BUSH

Great Interest in National Work “I am greatly pleased at the interest manifested in both islands of the Dominion in the preservation of our native bush and in the work of planting young trees,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, in replying to a deputation yesterday. “I was delighted to find that oue or two remarks I made a while ago, which were printed in ‘The Dominion’ on this very interesting and important subject have caused a number of country-lov-ing citizens to write me of their work in tree planting and giving wholehearted support to any plan which aims at stirring greater activity in reafforestation. “I have had letters from as far south as Invercargill and all are written in enthusiastic terms of the Government’s interest in saving our native bush. Letters have also come to me from overseas people who know of the beauty of our bush scenery. One letter I received by Tuesday’s mail from a New Zealander now resident in Los Angeles, California, is interesting. The writer says: ‘I do wish that we could get more tourists out in New Zealand, as we certainly have wonderful scenery to show them. You can travel the world and see none better, and I know, because I have been in nearly every country and am still strong for the land of my birth—New Zealand. When I hear people in other countries ‘boosting’ their scenery, I often wish that our people would do the same. They are just a little too modest. We rush to other countries to see the same scenery that we have at home. We do not appreciate it at all; no New Zealanders should go abroad before they see their own country first. I say, keep on doing all you can to show Americans what we have to offer and dinning into the ears of those at home what a grand asset we have in our native trees and ferns.’ “There is no doubt that my correspondent is right,” said Mr. Parry. “It is mostly when the New Zealander goes abroad that the value of our beautiful scenery appeals in the comparison it is possible to make.”

Mr. Parry urged the giving of unstinted support by all citizeps to the beautifying societies and kindred institutions in their work. “Now that interest Is freshly awakened,” he added, “this is the time for all to boost and the boosting will help in achieving practical results.”