SHIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 271, 16 April 1914, Page 4

SHIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY.

Judging from the tone of the Prime Minister's -reply to the petitions locally ■ forwarded regarding the Everett Road Kesw'vc, tlie Government no intention of revising its decision to remove tho reservation from the property. Mr. j Massey states that "the reservation was 1 removed by statute during last session of -Parliament in accordance witili a re- ! commendation of the Forestry Commission.'' The Government, however, ean- | not shirk its responsibility in this fashj ion. It w;ls at tho Government's inj stance that title recommendation vraa made law. Tho Commission was composed for the moat part of men who had not .the slightest sympathy with reservations, however valuable from a scenic point; of view, and however desirable in Iflie interests of the people and of posterity. They are utilitarians almost to a man, and therefore the lnglewood | gentleman who pulled the strings to get the reservation lifted had not the slightest difficulty in persuading ithe Commission—ami subsequently tho Government —t)he earth-hunger was so pronounced in the district that it was necessary to remove the embargo on the 100 acres of sinuous river-bank scenery comprising the reserve. Had they been requested, the Commission no doubt would just have readily fallen in with the idoti of some of our enlightened "leaders" to lop oil a radial mile of the Egmont National Park. Happily, -the mountain forest is safe from these vandals. .Mo: tho Government itself is entirely to | blame for removing the reservation, and Ithe member for tho district (Mr. Hine) and Mr. Okcy, who backed it up—though we understand neither has ever seen it, and for that reason cannot appreciate iU scenic wonth or its uselessness for settlement'purposes—are more blameworthy, for naturally the Government was influenced in its action by the ■ attitude of the local Members. How the latter can justify their action we fail to see. It is a clear case of spoliation, of robbery of the district's heritage, of acceding to the whim and selfishness of one interested party, of setting- hi* petulant wishes against the interests of the people of tlhis and countless generations. It is an utterly callous and unconscionable action that cannot be excused or pardoned. The area is so paltry that it is surprising tho Members 'named should have allowed 'themselves to V. used as catspaws in the manner they were; and more surprising that the Government should have meekly acquiesced and now just as strongly oppose reinstating the embargo. The last has ceri t-ainly not been heard of the matter.