SCENIC RESERVES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 131, 30 November 1933, Page 11

SCENIC RESERVES

moke protection:

BILL PASSES HOUSE

Greater powers for the protection of scenic reserves are contained in the Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill, which came before the House 61 Representatives yesterday. Little opposition was expressed to the proposals'in the Bill, whiel} was put through all stages and passed.-

lir moving the. second reading, tha Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Kan* som) said that there had been considerable additions to-the scenic reserves of the Dominion- in recent .years, and today the reserves throughout the Dominion were "of the. greatest national value. In addition to State-controlled reserves, the Bill also; provided for tha projection of privately-owned, reserves, if the owners so desired..' In reviewing the clauses of, the Bill, the Minister said that it was now provided that in addition to, liability to a fine-any person, 'damaging a reserve .might b» sued for payment for,all damage dona and for the full-value of any timber unlawfully; removed. Provision ,■ was also made to cover cases of stock trespass within scenic reserves. Owners^ o£ ! land "would be entitled to make applieaI tion to have their land declared a scenic reserve, and in the event of ; ,the application being granted the provisions of the Act dealing with offences would 'apply to such land. It was considered that the provision would prove helpful in. giving, private owners extra protection against vandalism without unduly, affecting their own rights as property-owners and should assist .generally in furthering the cause of scenery preservation. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. M. J. Savage). said the Bill appeared to be a step in the right direction. It had been represented to' him that'the New Zealand Institute and the Native Bird 'Protection Society should - be given representation on the board which dealt iwith scenery preservation, and no doubt the Minister would taka that matter into consideration.

Mrs. E. K. McCombs (Labour,; Lyttelton) agreed that the two bodies mentioned by Mr. Savage should' be given representation on the board. Sh« made a special plea for'the preservation of bush areas in the vicinity of the cities and towns of the Dominion.

In his • reply, the Minister said He would be pleased to take into..cpnsi.deration the suggestions which had been made to him. He could not amend, the Bill at present, but the ; . suggestiont could be taken into consideration when further amendments were being made.

The Bill was read}» second time, put through the .remaining^ stages, and passed. - ■ '■'■'