Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 24, September 27, 1976.
Ripping Off Natural Resources
Ripping Off Natural Resources
The example of Consolidated Silver serves as a graphic reminder to all as to the slender line that separates the nation from being totally involved in the mechanisms of economic necessities.
Whether it is in the "national interest" to assume that the existence of Nature is simply there as potential profit; to be extracted at the whim of those in a position to "make" out of such an undertaking, is debateable.
The Government's apparent willingness to bend over backwards to help the mining interests shows that the New Zealand public is on the losing end again.
Like the Comalco debacle, it is difficult to see us benefitting from schemes that are a simple partnership between rank opportunists and overseas mining giants - fostered by a government that has lost touch with the feelings and needs of its people.
The principles that resulted in the foundation of the National Parks of today are being ignored. A serious, sincere policy towards National Parks and conservation involves more than mere lip service to the sources of ecological stability.