SCENIC ENVIRONMENT.

Northern Advocate, 20 August 1919, Page 3

SCENIC ENVIRONMENT.

CONVINCING VIEW'S,

A Hawera resident has written to the local press as follows: —

To all lovers of native floral scenery it must have been very pleasing to read in your publications recently, the several expressions of sentiment in favour of tree planting and forest preservation in New Zealand. Unfortunately, our native forest is rapidly diminishing, having already reached a stage of serious depletion; and it is quite clear, therefore, that if our scenic remnants are to be preserved, prompt and united action will be necessary. It will be necessary to stimulate public interest, to invite consideration of the subject from various viewpoints; and, to this purpose, it may be well to introduce sentiment as a plea for further discourse. There occurs to my mind one phase of sentiment—a phase hitherto somewhat neglected—which, when carefully studied, will place emphasis upon scenic preservation as being of great significance in the broad scheme of social progress. PLEA FOR FORETHOUGHT. The phase alluded to is "The Mental Influence of Scenic Environment." As a nation, we are rapidly progressing and our national wealth is steadily developing; hence we have good prospect of continued progress. But, as progress continues, changes will take place, or rather, certain aspects of our social conditions will become accentuated; and, if we would broadly ambitious, we must exercise forethought, in order to make provision for these altered conditions. With continued national progress, there will follow increasing pubile wealth; and, consequently, our nation at large will have a steadily increasing amount of time for leisure. FUTURE FOR FINE ARTS. Many of our citizens devote their hours of leisure to the culture of music, art, and literature, and, as time goes on, their number will increase ,so that our future generations will doubtless bring forth many artists of high talent. We may therefore anticipate that in the course of time, New Zealand will take a prominent part in the fine arts of the world; and to ensure the fullest attainment of this highly desirable end, it is our duty to make all possible provisions. In making these provisions, it is imperative to bear in mind the mental influence of environment. Scenic environment is doubtless very conducive to the growth of the fine arts. VARIETY OF SCENERY INDISPENSABLE. Beautiful forest or floral scenery is a great source of inspiration in music or poetry; and to the full development of the art of picture production a full variety of scenery is absolutely indispensable. Let us therefore invoke the sympathies of those in power to the end that we may save" our native forests and floral scenery. There are in New Zealand large areas of clear country of much greater commercial use than are our forest lands. If our State authorities desire to acquire land for soldiers' farms surely the good cause would be still better served by acquiring some of the land best suited to the purpose, thus leaving our scenic remnants intact. We should surely regard as public benefactors those of our citizens who keep forest preserves for public admission, and they are certainly deserving of the sincere praise and gratitude of all lovers of native floral scenery.