FOREST PRESERVATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 132, 1 December 1938, Page 5

FOREST PRESERVATION

PREVENTION OF FIRES

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

The appearance on mail envelopes posted by Government Departments today of large stickers carrying photographic reproductions of native bush scenery marked^the initiation of a national campaign for the " preservation of New Zealand's forests, both native and exotic, from destruction by fire.. The campaign is the co-operative effort of various Government Depart* ments, including Internal Affairs, For-. : estry, Lands and Survey, * Public Works, and Native Affairs. Particulars'of some phases of the publicity to be give i were gained by inquiries made -in ] tepartmental circles today, but it is understood that the general policy to be followed will be the subject of a Ministerial statement in a ievf days. With the object of drawing the attention of the public to the seriousness of fire danger throughout New Zealand Government Departments have been directed to use the stickers during December on all official correspondence. The principal object of the campaign is to secure the active cooperation of the public in, preventing outbreaks of fire. The stickers, which have been prepared by the State Forest Service, consist of a series of 15 photographs depicting typical scenes of* the various ' classes of New. Zealand bush, forest \ fires in progress, and fire-devastated areas showing the complete destruction brought about by an Appropriate captions, are printed under each picture. A selection is a» follows:— "This magnificent kauri forest caa be destroyed by fire. Protect it by every means in your power." ""Protect your forests from the fir* fiend." "Mountain forest and stream. — Firm will ruin both." < "A planted exotic forest needs your protection from. fire." A number of large-size notices carrying warnings against the fire danger, and appeals to the public for help hava been prepared for erection at camping grounds, on Crown Lands, on roadsides, in forest reserves, and elsewhere throughout the country. Five separate notices are. being reproduced in quantity,^ bearing the following words which v have .also been translated into ■Maori:— v .' "Fire. These trees have taken years , " to grow. Why destroy them with a moment's thoughtlessness?" "Fires. If this tussock is burnt off the sand will encroach even further. . Please be careful." "A fire. here, will do untold damage. Your co-operation is required to prevent this." . , "Please . don't be responsible for a fire. Please exercise extreme care." "A fire started here, will travel for miles. Please don't start one." It is understood that similar campaigns will take place^ annually henceforward.