RIVER EROSION

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 144, 21 June 1938, Page 10

RIVER EROSION

ACTION IMPERATIVE

NEED FOR CO-OPERATION

"Three of the biggest problems, involving local body government, that have long needed tackling with determination are river erosion, noxious weeds, and disease of stock," said the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) when replying to a deputation today. "Regretfully,. a Mayor, or a councillor—happily not having erosion trouble in his territory to contend with—has not far to travel in the North or South Island today to have his eyes opened to the serious damage done to land by water erosion. Some of, this damage is a nightmare to anybody who views the seriousness of it all. The problem must be dealt with, or much fine' agricultural land already threatened will be eaten away."

Mr. Parry said that when visiting various parts of the Dominion last year he had made river erosion one of the important reasons for the amalgamation of local bodies. He had done so because united effort was necessary for the carrying out of well-thought-out plans to minimise, if not stop, the trouble in many districts now seriously threatened. LOCAL BODY DISPUTES. "The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple), in the functions of the Department he controls." continued the Minister, "is now putting his vigour into the problem and his services should be unmistakably helpful. I feel keenly with some of the far-seeing local body representatives that if there was on the part of local authorities an amalgamation of effort with the Central Government the country would be placed well on the way of mastering the situation brought about by erosion. The position today is that, because a river passed through a particular district, apparently with harmless effect, but did serious damage to an adjoining district, there are endless disputes as to which of the local bodies in the local circumstances should help pay the cost of the damage done and meet charges for protective works in the future. There is no co-operative action. One may well ask, 'Isn't every bit of our glorious little country worth saving for either production from the soil or scenic purposes?' I say with emphasis that it is, and that it is not too late, even now. for combined action to be undertaken."

One of the worst districts from the standpoint. of river erosion he had visited was Balclutha. "I declared when I was in that town," Mr. Parry stated, "that there were some headaches in store for the people there if something were not done to stem the trouble the river was causing, and if ever there was a necessity for a good sound form of local government it was in the Balclutha district. No one could look at the Molyneux River and see what was likely to happen through erosion without being very concerned about the damage. Neglect of the situation in the past cost the country millions of expenditure. Much of the damage to the farmers has been wrought by the denudation of the bush. I think that aspect is now realised and there may still be some hope of staying further deadly work by the axe."