BIRD AND FOREST PROTECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 8

BIRD AND FOREST PROTECTION

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—The destruction of the indigenous forest is rapidly continuing throughout the country- Recently the "Evening Post" suggested that it was the responsibility of the people to preserve the native forest, but we know that what is everybody's work is nobody's work, and that the Government only can perform this duty. Undoubtedly, public opinion is very strong, but we found that nothing short of public demonstrations moved past Governments.

The North Island has lost most of its former scenic charm. I have received letters from a friend spending some weeks touring the North Island, in which are mentioned the rapidly decreasing bush. Many lovely spots have recently given way to rock-bare hillsides, or large areas covered in noxious weeds, where sheep are few or' nonexistent. I have met overseas visitors who have been much more impressed with our bush and native birds than with any other attractions, yet what little is left is fast disappearing. True, we have a few State reserves. On the other hand, the land at present covered by bush would be worse than useless if cleared or destroyed in any way. Regarding "Riro Riro's" letter on Friday, so great is official apathy, slayers of native birds are likely to have meted out to them the law, unofficially. —I am, etc.,

YOUNG NEW ZEALAND.