NATIVE or EXOTIC?

Forest and Bird, Issue 96, 1 May 1950, Page 9

NATIVE or EXOTIC?

THE following is an extract from the editorial of the January, 1950, “Tararua Tramper,” the journal of the Tararua Tramping Club, headed “New Zealand Forests,” which we publish with acknowledgement: —

“New Zealand was once blessed with a widespread native forest, but with the advent of enterprising pioneers and bushmen much of this has disappeared. . . . The planting of exotics is still so popular that many of us feel that New Zealand is losing the individuality which she has gained through her unique native forests. This degeneration is accelerated every year when fires destroy native forests and when the existing exotics continue to grow with their characteristic rapidity. The prospects of small native forest reserves retained with- a museum tranquillity midst towering exotics do not appeal. . . . Why should two leading

South Island tourist centres be surrounded with stately exotics? At least they do illustrate to the overseas visitor just how beautiful his exotics can look if they are placed in an ideal landscape!

“But what of the future? Will the muchneeded drive towards a judicious reafforestation with native flora occur? Will there be a greater development of native plant nurseries? Will our existing forests receive the care and attention which scientific research recommends? Only time can answer these real posers; meanwhile it’s surely our desire to strive for the maintenance and restoration of our New Zealand forests. To this end we must support all drives aimed at the elimination of anything which may destroy or retard the beautiful flora which is ours.”