MOUNTAIN CLUBS SEEK POLICY FOR NATIONAL PARKS

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 May 1949, Page 4

MOUNTAIN CLUBS SEEK POLICY FOR NATIONAL PARKS

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night (PA) —The Federated Mountain Clubs oi New Zealand are to urge on the Government the adoption oi a national policy for the management and development of national parks. The Federation’s views will be submitted by Mr. R. Syme, of Hawera, Mr. G. G. Lockwood, of Christchurch, and Mr. H. P. Harper, of Wellington. Speaking at the, annual conference oi the Federation on Saturday, Mr. Harper said the Federations sound policy was set out in the minutes ol 1938. A board should be appointed for each park and a national authority should be established, its functions including the direction ol the Park Boards on matters of general policy and the distribution of funds available for the upkeep and development ox the parks. The national authority should include representatives of the Government and the Park Boards ur.d at least one representative of the Federated Mountain Clubs. The Park Boards should have a limited membership of persons able and willing 1c visit the parks frequently, including one representative at least oi the mountain clubs. Mr. Harper said the finance provided for the New Zealand national parks was inadequate and Mr. Lockwood gave an instance oi Arthur s Pass Park, the ordinary income of which was £2OB a year, while the ranger had to be paid £250. “We just hope that someone will come along and pay the balance,” he added. The conference agreed that the help of the Forest and Bird Society ana the Royal Society of New Zealand should be enlisted when the subcommittee waits on the Minister oi Lands (Mr. Skinner). The federation elected the following officers: —President, Mr. H. J. Stevenson (Oamaru), vice-presidents, Messrs. N. M. Thomson (Levin), W. Scott Gilkison (Auckland), B. D. A. Greig (Wellington), A. D. Mean (Auckland), and T. T. Robins (Christchurch); committee, Messrs. F. K. Ashurst, J. D. Bradshaw, H. K. Douglas, F. H. Drewitt, H. J. C. Haines, A. P. Harper, and A. 11. Hines (all of Wellington), D. 11. Rawson and R. Syme (Hawera); secretary and treasurer, .Mrs. M. M. Davidson (Wellington).