The Conceit of Mankind

Northern Advocate, 12 May 1939, Page 4

The Conceit of Mankind

r-p>HE comments of Mr Ormsby-Gore Adams, published in the | “Advocate” on Monday, on the subject of forestry preserva--1 tion in Northland, deserve the s-tudy of every thoughtful resident in the district. A student of forestry for many years, and an honorary inspector under the scenery preservation branch of the Lands Department, Mr Adams sees no necessity or justification for the policy of cutting out mature trees as a means of perpetuating the kauri forests of Northland. Experts of the State Forestry Service claim that unless this is done the character of the kauri forests will gradually change, or that they will die out altogether. Surely there can be no greater presumption than the claim that man’s intervention is necessary to preserve stately forests that have already lasted for many centuries. Surely there can be no more shiningexample of the immeasurable self-conceit of man, when, having on the one hand let loose forces which have devastated the kauri forests for purposes of commercialism, he now turns round and asserts that, having made a study of the kauri, he will cut down a few more hoary specimens in order that the forests may survive! , _ . Unfortunately, as we have pointed out, the Departments policy is tinged with comimercialism. It is planning to introduce “managed marketing” in order to gain financial revenue from the forests, but, instead of honestly admitting the purpose of this policy, it has raised the well-being of the kauri forests as a smokescreen. The people of Northland, however, will treat these tactics with more suspicion _ than ever after reading the comments of Mr Adams on the subject.