THE FOREST RESERVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1934, Page 4

THE FOREST RESERVE.

The publicity accorded the removal of timber from the Mount Egmont National Park has shown a healthy public opinion in regard to anything approaching vandalism. The East Committee of the National Park Board, as the immediate controlling authority of the area in regard to which complaints of tree-cut-ting have been received, is taking quite the right attitude. It admits that its intention merely to remove dead timber has been exceeded by those to whom that duty had been entrusted, and it has promised an investigation of the circumstances and a full report to the Park Board. Until the inquiry has been made further comment would be unfair, except that it is very satisfactory to note that the East Committee desires the discussion upon the matter to be held in the open. As is generally known the earlier discussion of the matter was held in camera, and there is no doubt this gave rise to a feeling that there was more in the complaints made than the public knew about. Neither the Park Board nor any of its committees has anything to fear from full public discussion of their administration of a magnificent public reserve. With limited resources they have done excellent work, and though everyone will not agree that the policy adopted could not have been improved upon from time to time, there are few who will not admit that much time and labour have been given voluntarily by busy men in the hope of conserving and cherishing a national heritage. Preservation of the reserve from vandalism must depend to a great extent upon public opinion, and unless public opinion is well informed it is likely to go astray. From every point of view, therefore, it is desirable that matters in connection with the Egmont National Park, save of course such details as business contracts under consideration, should be dealt with in open meetings of the authorities.