Native Forest Action
Media Release
Saturday 11 September 1999
Hysterical Reaction Predictable And Unsubstantiated - NFA
Native Forest Action today shrugged off the hysterical reaction to yesterdays announcement that Labour would end West
Coast native logging if it wins the election.
"The hysterical reaction from Jim Sutton and Damien O'Connor over Labour's policy decision to end Timberlands' West
Coast native forest logging is totally predictable because they have long been a small anti-conservation clique in the
Labour caucus," said Dean Baigent-Mercer spokesperson for Native Forest Action, "Despite their tantrums, public opinion
is overwhelmingly in support of this unnecessary rainforest logging ending".
"Contrary to recent media depiction, messages of celebration and appreciation have been flowing into conservation groups
from all over the country - including the West Coast - thrilled with Labour's decision".
"The claim by the Furniture Association of NZ that the end of Timberlands' native logging will result in 4,000 job
losses is ridiculous and totally unsubstanciated. The Furniture Association of NZ have been cultivated as lobbying
allies by Timberlands and their PR company Shandwick over the past 5 months to lobby Labour as a third party".
"Last year Timberlands claimed that an end to their logging would end in 100 job losses, then 200, then 500. A few
months ago, along with the Furniture Association of NZ, the story had changed again: this time 2,000 job losses. And now
4,000. We strongly suspect these figures are unsubstanciated and are being used to whip up hysteria and anti-Labour
feeling".
"New Zealand has many plantations of specialist timbers such as eucalyptus, macrocarpa, black walnut, and douglas fir
which have been under-used awaiting the day when native logging is phased back".
"Voters finally have a clear choice: if National/ACT win the election West Coast native logging will expand; if
opposition parties win, the logging will end".