130 



Gburifttr. Nn&fflti Ftei< Hfl L vol. u 



open for the creation ol national paiks '** rt*e^3 where is contemplated cou- 

 litniaiive ot iome measure of economic exploitation already in operation — 

 timber-logging, ior exanip'e. 



U is UttblDtfy that the Forests Commission would ever ng-icv to lhc incnr- 

 po ration oi. s^y, the Grampian* into our national park system unless it 

 could he assured ot the continuity ot its right to Utilize the timber rtSQUfCeS 

 o( these mountain**. TN State Rivet'i Commission, also, would expect to 

 retain its own measure pi control ot the region as a water catolipieni rcsccv. 



Chiuf? 7 id) pnoviiles for the classification of national parks. From tins 

 we may iuicr th£l tht Aut'tioiits can recommend ihc rrpafinn of «>rip.t.ial- 

 Iturrnisv rc^erv^s sjcIi as fauna or wildflower sanctuaries, icenie reserves. 

 national rnonumentr., and so on. This one can envisage WetTiuee Gorg,e being 

 declared a ivnional nark rind classified as a National Geological Monument. 

 A system ot classification of nature reserves has been developed and is becom- 

 ing internationally recognizee'. Doubtless the Authority will be influenced by 

 this, when r^CbmrnciKUTig lite classification of rotr national parks. 



Clause 7 {4) is ot particular importance became it provider that each and 

 every uauutut! nark, additional tu those at preseuc scheduled in the Act, can 

 be declared a<; national park? only or. the authority of l^arb'ament. in other 

 words, new national parks will come into being only by Act of Parliament. 

 Once, declared they com* under the complete control ot ibe National Parks 

 Anihoriry as picvided in Clause ^. 



CitTH.tr 9 fa) is worth quoting : '*lt shalt be the duty of the Authority unless 

 Snrodsiotent with any special purpose Tor which a national park has been 

 proclataicd, to maintain every national tfark in its nauiraf condition ft^cl to 

 conserve therein ecological association and species oi native pla-Us and 

 animals and protect the Riitxial feature* uf the park and Ml far as y.racticablc 

 lo exterminate exotic plants and animals therein." 



This clause should be read in conjunction wstli 7 (2).„ 7 (3) and, possibly. 

 12 v4t«n it bee/nites evident that the obligation to maintain a national park 

 in its natural condition will app!y only to the extent dictated by the "con 

 dirions, restrictions and reservaliims" rnentMiued in Clause. 7 (2) or by the 

 classification of the park a* determined under Clause 7 (3) Those interested 

 in nature conservation niay need CO remain waiclii'ul to >ee tlvat their iuterorc 

 ration of tlte sj»i/it of the Act is kept well to the fore. 



Clause 10 provides that no mining lease, or licence shall operate in any 

 national park except with the rnnseiu of the Authority This provision is 

 likely to have considerable value in view of recent trends in tnincralc^ical 

 exploration. 



l.'nder C'Umse U the system oi management of national parks by honorary' 

 committees i$ regained and honorary committees may lie retained or appointed 

 Ul the discretion of rhe Aiirhnniy. Ifowevpr. all >urh nnmmttteps will ester- 

 ase only such powers ait are delegated to it by the Authority lo whom they 

 will be responsible. 



CUwsc 1 3 established a ^ptcial National I'arks Fund into wliich will be 

 paid all moneys received in one way or another by the Authority— including 

 the Parliamentary- appropriation — and from whirh its administrative expenses 

 will be paid. The Authority, by the way, will be open to receive pifts aiiJ 

 bequests ! 



Such, in essence, is the substance of Victoria's National F-^rks Act. The 

 field Naturalists' Club of Victoria will express the thoughts or nil naturalists, 

 conservators and nature-lovers when it records its appreciation >A The interest 

 displayed by the Government in sponsoring the Bill and the spirit of to 

 operation displayed by *il parties, in permiUin^ the measure to he debated £U1 

 ■loo party nuee There is geud reason, tCKK 10 be grateful to the Premier, Mr. 

 Henry Holtc. "for ihc part he persouatlv played in brwjET>ti£ the Bill into beriifi 

 Despite its sliotrcoming.s and obvious omissions there is now some hope that. 

 <t last, there Is the prospect of a better deal for Victoria "s National Parka *ud 

 tor nature con scroti on generally. 



