GROUSE IN THE PARK

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 80, 1 October 1924, Page 7

GROUSE IN THE PARK

10 TBB EDITOR.

Sir,—Your correspondent, "Englishman," 13 under a misapprehension as to the reason New Zealanders desire to preserve as much as possible of the native flora and birds of New Zealand. It is not. because we "dislike," as he says "any example from England." Many of the introduced plants and birds from the Old Country are very beautiful and interesting. But it is because the native birds and flowers of this country when brought into competition with the imported article are -doomed to speedy ex, tinction.

Surely "Englishman" would agree with me that the special and distinctive flowers and birds of this beautiful land are worth preserving, as they are to be met with in no other part of the world? Heather is a very beautiful plant, but can be met with in any part of Northern Europe or Asia. The blackbird," thrush, lark, and other imported birds are equally common, in those parts, but where else than in ifew Zealand will you see the tui, the bell-bird, the weka, the pukeko, the bush robin,, the fantail, the Paradise duck, and many others, or among plants the clematis, the rangiora the kowhai, the miro, the" lacebark the rnnu, the kauri?

As to the pleasure to be derived by tourists from the Home Land by reproducing here the conditions aB to game etc., to be found in England, I think the majority of tourists come to see something distinct, an£ would much prefer it so. I am sure "Englishman" is mistaken in supposing "anything British is not required," unless, as he says, "we are in need." Certainly, we have borrowed rather freely from the Old Country, but the money has been used in developing and giovjdjnjp IPjfeg

and facilities, and the security is good. A glance at the imports will show "Englishman" where most of our manufactured goods come from. I deprecate most heartily these undesirable comparisons and allusions. All good Englishmen and women are most heartily welcome here. But we, as New Zealanders, wish to preserve as far as possible the distinctive characteristics of one of the most beautiful of countries, although, alas, I am afraid we are too late!—l am, etc.,

NEW ZEALANDER. 29th September.