NATURE—AND MAN

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1934, Page 6

NATURE—AND MAN

People of Parliament (Edited by Leo Fanning) Occasionally New Zealanders have a sharp reminder that Parliamentary procedure easily permits the rights of the public, to be circumvented by the selfish scheming of crafty lobbyists whose tactics may deceive or mislead a majority of members of the House, including the Ministry as a whole. For example, an article in “The Evening Post,” Wellington, recently drew attention to the dangerous section 26 of last session’s “Washing-up Bill’’ This new lay “authorises cancellation of reservation over portion' of Rongokaupo Hill scenic reserve in Block IV, Makotuku Survey District.” The section itself declares that “it is expedient to provide authority for the cancellation of the reservation over the said land in order that the timber thereon may be utilised for milling purposes

The persons who plotted for that section offer as an excuse that the reserve is in some danger of fire—a comical plea which recalls a Shakespearian saying: “The devil can cite scripture for his purpose’’ It is simply another attempt to sacrifice another national estate on the altar of private profit PITFALLS FOR THE PUBLIC The “Washing-up Bill,” which comes in the hurry-scurry at the end of the session, when members are usually jaded and eager to be returning home has always the name of the “ Reserves and Other Lands Disposal,” but it is practically unlimited in its scope All sorts of things can be pushed into the wide folu o'f that Bill, but the possible repercussions’’ and “implications” —• to use two popular words —against the public interest are not usually foreseen. Indeed it often happens that the mischief is cunningly concealed in a jargon of verbiage In my book, “Politics and the Public.” published some years ago, I commented on the “Art and Craft of Lob bying,” with special reference to the so-called “Washing-up Bill.” Here

“There is always a danger that the Government and Parliament as a whole inav be deceived by a chiuse which a member may persuade Cabinet to insert in the customary “Washing-up Bill” fit the busy close of the session. “Like every other business man, the lobbyist, whether a member or envoy of a group, watches for the main chance, and this is at the committee stage of a Bill, not reported by Hansard. An amendment can be moved without notice, and thus there is dangerous scope for a sudden important alteration of a clause or the insertion of a new sub-clause. Commonly the new proposal is printed on a supplementary order paper, but the copies may not be distributed till an hour or so—or eveu a few minutes—before the question is to be considered, and thus the press of the country has no opportunity of criticism till a vote of the House has been taken. Such cases have been numerous.

“The chief safeguard against any undesirable lobbying is a vigilant, fearless press, eager to detect and denounce any plotting or confidence tricks There is no practical method of preventing attempts to influence members, improperly, because there are more than a thousand and one ways of defeating any drastic decree, of Parliament. A courageous press and

spirited public, responsive to warnings are the best insurance against fibuses of lobbyism. The chief aids of the lobbyist in any country are an apathetic public and a press oblivious to one of the great traditional duties—but. happily, such favourable conditions for ‘lobby law’ do not exist in New Zealand.’’ NATIONAL NEED OF VIGILANCE. The, case mentioned is a reminder to the New Zealand Native Bird (and Forest) Protection Society that it will have to be more alert than ever for the safeguarding of national assets. Members of the Society, who are now electing their executive by postal ballot, should take every possible care to vote for candidates who will have the courage to come out in the open and fight fearlessly whenever selfish sectionalism is scheming against the public welfare. HOME FOR HUIAS.

Captain Sanderson, president of the Bird Protection Society, holds out i hope—indeed more than a hope—fhat the huia is not extinct. “Many remarkable reports,” he says, “reach the Society about the presence of rare birds and many of those reports are undoubtedly authentic. It is, however, the Society’s policy as to rare birds never to divulge full particulars because the collector is ever active and publicity might' easily lead to their extermination. The Society believes birds should be left alone and every assistance given them in adapting themselves to the changed conditions brought about by civilisation.

“Thus it might be stated definitely that the pio pio, or native thrush, doe's still exist. We are receiving authentic reports that huias exist, and only during this week was it reported by an old pioneer, who knows the call well, that he heard the native quail without a doubt, calling within 50 miles of Wellington. ” get those goats. From various districts—mainly from Taranaki—come reports of the appalling ravages of hordes of goats in native forests. Representative men of Taranaki have brought this pest under the notice of Ministers of the Crown, and they have been promised some assistance in their war against enemies of beautiful scenery, but the people of that province must bear in mind and heart that the saving of that charming mantle of forest will rest chiefly with themselves. If men of Taranaki have a. proper understanding of the destructive habits of goats and seriously wish to preserve the forest which regulates dairying pastures, they will surely wipe out the goats.