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the view that nature should subserve the interests of mankind. Thus conservation must be
selective; thene is merit in preserving the crown pigeon - because it is edibte; and the New
Zealand black robin - because it is beautiful. There is common sense in maintaining a wide
range of gene pools because we are woefully ignorant of the economic potentials of many
plant and animal species; but there is none whatever (unless we believe in tnansmigration of
souls) in preventing Lhe extinction of nrosquitos or sandflies. Moreover, there is little point in
preserving any natural resource unless people are able to enjoy its fruits. And the challenge
to management is to develop methods which ensure [hat those fruiLs remain to be enjoyed by
all who so wish.
I would not, of course, argue that all foresLers are beyond reproach when it comes to
concern for humanity: thene are still many who are happier in a Procrustean pine plantation
than among people (and of course there are eommercial timber interests who rank eompany
profits before the national interest). BuL, as in all things, there is a golden rrean - a balance
which we need to find before it is too late. We shall not reach it lhrough distortion,
half -truths and arrogance. Nor, I am af raid, shall we f ind it through lhe delermined
objecti vity to which our scientists aspire. Let us remember the legend of Occamrs ass - the
beast te[hened equidistantly between two equally desirable bundles of hay; because of its
strict objectivity , it (inevitably) starved to death!
More important. is a humanist commitment to future generations. In conclusion, may I
apply the famous Nigerian credo concerning land to our Pacific environment? I! "belongs to a
vast family of which many are dead, a few are living and countless numbers are still unborn.'r
It does not belong to foresters, or sawmillers or blinkered environmentalists. Let all of us
endeavour to manage it with honesLy, awareness and humility.
REFERENCES
ADB. 1978. Sector paper trl foresLry and forest industries. Asian Developmenl Bank, Manila,
Philippines. 78 p.
FAO. 1982. World forest products, demand and zupply, 1990 and 2000. FAO Forestry P4er
29. Food and Agricultune Organization, Rrne, ltaly.
Barney, Genald O. (Study Direclor). 1980. The Global 2000 Report to the President, Entering
the Twentyf irst Century. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C.
Passmore, John. 1974. Manrs responsibility for nature. Duckworth.
Richardson' S. D. 198I. Forestry and the environnrent in the South Pacific. SPREP Tqic
Review 8. South Pacifie Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. I1 p.
Richardson, 5. D. (ln press). Unnatural practices. World Wmd.
Richardson, S. D. and .I Richardson. f984. Agroforestry and the Pacific Islands. Jotrrnal of
Pacific Studies (in press).