RIVER EROSION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 13092, 13 February 1937, Page 5

RIVER EROSION

C--“TOO MUCH. TINKERING IN PAST.’ 5 AIR. SEMPLE ON WARPATH. NATIONAL SYSTEM OF - CONTROL. (Press Association) INVERCARGILL, Fob. 12. . A -deputation from the Southland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union this afternoon received an assurance from the Minister of Public Works (Air. Semple) that he appreciated the seriousness of the problem of river erosion. He was asked to consider the formulation cf a national skerne for the control cf rivers and, in reply, said that steps to this end were being taken. The Afinister criticised what he termed the “tinkering” that had been done in the past and said that the problem now was a. tremendous one of vital importance to- the country and one that would entail ‘staggering expense.*' “1 have come to the conclusion that no further tinkering with this problem can be tolerated,” said Air. Semple. “I am satisfied that we have engineers in the Public "Works. Department, who, if they are instructed, and given their heads, can do the job thoroughly. One engineer has been detailed to* make a special study of it and t intend to inaugurate a group in his department to. com jplcte surveys from the North L a pe to Bluff -and to formulate a plan. “We have not protected our heritage,” he continued; “but, if a man has made blunders lie can put them feght. If "'0 let this go, it wul ■cost us millions of pounds.”.,. s Mr. Semple assured-the .Southland landholders, that, as soon as .possible, a comprehensive scheme would ie formulated and a start made.