DANGER TO N.Z.

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1937, Page 5

DANGER TO N.Z.

LOSS OF FORESTS Soil Now Going Too (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 22. “Many New Zealanders hold up their hands in horror when we read about dust storms and floods in America, but we fail to see that the position is even more menacing right here in New Zealand,” said Captain E. V Sanderson, President! of the New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society, in an address on the serious consequences resulting from the destruction of native bush and vegetation. Captain Sanderson said that 90 por cent, of the original forest! of this country had been destroyed. It took 00 years f 0 form one inch of top soil, and New Zealand was losing it at a uueh greater rate. “This country consists of narrow islands rising steeply to mountainous country and surrounded by very deep seas. The top soil, from which nearly all our wealth ■ comes, is- washed away to -he sea, but the sea does not give in back in the form of coastal reclamation. Nature has endowed our country with a wonderful water, holding association of plant life, and this heritage we have slain with fire, axe, saw and the introduction of alien enemies such as deer and goats.” W. H. Field said that only in re. centl year s had the public awakened to the fact that, the destruction of native bush had gone too far 'lt was only a matter of years before New Zaeland would be a desert. DEMAND FOR WHITE PINE. AUSTRALIAN' WHOLE-HOGGER'S. SYDNEY, April 22. . A butter and cheese factories eon. ferenee in Sydney discussed the stop, page by the New Zealand Government of the export of thirty million feot of New Zealand white pine for butter, box making in New South Wales. The Conference asked that the Minister of Commerce negotiate with the New Zealand Government on the mat. ter. There is an acute shortage of suit, .ble timber for box-making and fac,. tory representatives declared that the. New Zealand Government, in prohibiting the export after contracts were signed, had committed an illegal act. Negotiations are now in progress with timber merchants in Borneo, who state they are able to supply suitable timber. Tests are also being made with Woods from various other countries.