“Sewage Conservation”

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 November 1950, Page 4

“Sewage Conservation”

Sir, —In the various election speeches I fail to find reference to an all important matter —sewage conservation. This is a matter which must come up in the near future. All the life substances of our rapidly deteriorating soil are being sent, via the Wanganui River, in the sea. Scientists have yet to explore the harm that this practice is collectively doing to the sea as well as to the land. Professor F. H. King in “Farmers of Forty Centuries” says: “The people of the United States and Europe are pouring into the sea, lakes or rivers and into the underground waters, 12,000,000 pounds ot nitrogen, 1,882,0001bs of potassium, and up to 3,058,0001bs of phosphorus per million of adult population annually. This waste is considered one of the greatest achievements of our civilisation." New Zealand is doing her share here in the south. With new blood our City Council could begin to stop such waste and do a noble work in starting a conservation and service which would renew our soil and also show a little gratitude to the mystical power of Nature, which responds so miraculously to the rule of return. We are taking, year by year, all we can from the greatest Ot God’s gifts—the soil—and returning nothing in kind. Instead of being a local nuisance our refuse could benefit the surrounding land. All we need is to eradicate the thought barrier which is causing ruin everywhere.

As a minor consideration, the new council could mitigate the nuisance of flies and evil smells which are at present bred in council dumps— notably that near the St. John's Hill end of tlie Avenue. Have we any candidates amenable to our needs I am, etc. “HEALING POLICY.”