SOIL EROSION
WORLD-WIDE PROBLEM
When civilised, nations have won the war against its present enemies, they will have another war : to win against erosion which threatens huge areas of the soil which supports humanity, writes the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand.
The jFederal Government .of the United States of America is continuing the campaign against erosion. In a recent letter. ,to Captain Sanderson, president of the Forest and Bird Protection Society, Dr. Bennett, chief of the Soil Conservation Service of the U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, remarks:—"The tragedy of soil erosion seems to follow the opening of all new countries to so-called, civilisation; the pity of it is that we do not realise its attendant evils until the damage is well under way. People in all parts of the world, however, seem to be awakening to the fact that the soil is our greatest natural resource and must be protected if mankind is w continue to enjoy a high degree of prosperity. This belief on my part is based on the visits to this country of many people from other countries and the numerous letters which we receive asking for information and bulletins dealing with soil and water conservation." The ravages of erosion have alarmed people of South Africa. Last year the Union Government prepared a Bill which made far-reaching provision for soil-saving. The main section was con- j cerned with use of power by the Government to take private land (subject to notice and compensation) for the prevention of soil erosion or the re- j clamation of land affected thereby; or for the protection of catchment areas or the conservation of water sources. The Governor-General was also to; be empowered to proclaim protection for the whole or part of a forest or plantation if such procedure was deemed expedient in the public interest. The basis of the Bill was the old Roman rule —"the welfare of the nation is the supreme law." However, war conditions caused a postponement of the legislation.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 102, 2 May 1941, Page 8
Word Count
334SOIL EROSION Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 102, 2 May 1941, Page 8
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