PRESERVING NATIVE BUSH

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 158, 1 April 1937, Page 10

PRESERVING NATIVE BUSH

Land Classification

REMITS FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE Among several important items on tlie agenda paper to be discussed at a national conference to be opened in Parliament House to-morrow morning by tlie Governor-General, Lord Galway, to consider native bush preservation and beautification of the Dominion’s highways, will be a remit from the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture reading as follows:— "That the Government undertake a classification of all land in New Zealand at present covered with standing bush with a view to the prohibition of further clearing:—(a) In all cases where such clearing would be detrimental; (b) In all other cases except when satisfied that the land so cleared will be economically utilised.

“That the Government be requested, in its forthcoming legislation to provide for the prevention of the destruction of bush facing any new rpad or railway or newly designated main highway, pending Inspection from the Scenery Preservation Board, but of not more than 10 chains in depth or to the nearest ridge crest.” Another important remit to be dealt with is one from the New Zealand Counties’ Association, which urges that "There be an amendment to tlie Public Works Act to enable acquisition ot lauds to protect scenic assets adjoining public roads.” Included in a fairly comprehensive list of matters upon which there will be discussion are the following: Opening addresses by His Excellency the Governor-General, the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Hon. F. Langstone, Minister of Lands, Commissioner of State Forests, and Minister in Charge of the Scenery Preservation Department; the future of Arbor. Day; private scenic reserves and the encouragement of land owners to preserve and’ protect patches of native bush and to dedicate corners of waste laud for natural regeneration or for beautifying and planting. Consideration will be given also to the necessity for skilled supervision in regard to future planting schemes, in order to avoid the mistakes made in the past and to prevent in amenity planting the exclusive or excessive use of any one particular species in a district; the survey of New Zealand into districts with lists of trees both exotic and indigenous suitable for planting therein; tolerance in connection with the vexed question of native versus exotic plantings and the need for allowing natural native plant regeneration where present to take its own course, where possible; coronation and New Zealand centennial memorial plantings; powers of local authorities and public bodies in respect of treeplanting and the welfare of trees; the beautification of cemeteries; hoardings and advertisements in general; national organisation and sub-organisa-tions—consideration of Government’s scheme.