NATIONAL PROBLEM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19248, 13 February 1937, Page 14

NATIONAL PROBLEM

EROSION BY RIVERS

INVESTIGATION IN HAND

END OF "TINKERING"

(Pur Press Association.)

INVERCAKGILL, last night

A deputation from the Southland provincial executive ol the fanners' union this afternoon received an assurance lrom the Minister of l'ublic -Works, the Hun. It. Semple, that lie appreciated the seriousness of the problem of river erosion. He was asked to consider the formulation of a national scheme for the control of rivers and, in reply, said that steps to this end were being taken. The Minister criticised what' he termed the "tinkering" that had been done in the past'and said that the problem now was a tremendous one ot vital im portauee to the country and one that would entail "staggering expense." "I have come to the conclusion that no further tinkering with this problem can be tolerated," said Mr. Semple. "i

am satisfied that we have engineers m the Public Works Department, who, ii they are instructed and given their heads, can do the job, thoroughly. One engineer, has been detailed to make a special study of it and 1 intend to inaugurate a group in his department to complete surveys from the CMorth Cape to Bluff and to formulate a plan. "We have not protected our heritage," he continued, "but, if man has made blunders he can put them right. If we let this go, it wiil cost us millions of pounds." ■ Mr. Semple assured the Southland landholders that, ns soon as possible, a comprehensive scheme would be formulated and a start made.