Waipoua Protection

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1947, Page 6

Waipoua Protection

Commerce Chamber

"The State Forest Department's operations and the people who work under the department have 1 ittlo oi no interest in the national park aspect

"When they are instructed to get timber out, they do so. regardless ol the damage inflicted on the young growth, which .would ultimately become the forest of the future." These remarks were contained in a statement made by the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce last night when further fire was added to the (lame of controversy over the future of Wmpoi.’a Forest. The following remit was passed as a recommendation to the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, which takes place at Napier next week: "That this conference make representations to the Prime Minister for closer supervision of the few remaining national forests and that, wherever possible, those forests be constituted national reserves.”

I "Forests in New Zealand suitable I for setting aside as national parks are few in number and so need all the protection possible." the statement continued. CANNOT GUARANTEE "The State Forest Department is not in a position to guarantee that it can maintain growth of forest giants by succession and until it is in a position to do so should let well alone. “Tree felling in national forests should be abandoned in order to safeguard the areas for posterity. "Sadly-depleted forests of a certain type valuable to the scenic and tourist aspect are rapidly disappearing under state forest management, so should be placed under national park control.” "I want to see Waipoua Forest set aside as a reserve under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Internal Affairs—not the Commissioner of Forests, whose main interest is to mill the kauris for building purposes." said Mr J. F. Johnson. There were other state forests which could be used for milling operations, he said. The commissioner had stated that kauri was required for manufacturing cheese vats. This was preposterous. Other cheese-making countries did not use kauri for vats. There were few forest attractions in the north. That was another reason why he would hate to sec Waipoua go. concluded Mr Johnson. FIRE HAZARD The president of the Whangarei For.est and Bird Society (Mr J. D. Mitchell) reported on a recent inspection of the forest, which ho visited as the chamber's representative. Draughts caused by the formation of roads at Waipoua had. in his opinion, increased the fire hazard. It was not right to mill dead and dying trees which, when they fell, provided natural humus for the rest of the forest.

Mr Mitchell was asked to represent the chamber when delegates from Northland local bodies and other interested organisations meet the commissioner at the forest next week.