Beware Of Another Timberlands Stunt!

Native Forest Action Media Release Tuesday 5 October 1999

BEWARE OF ANOTHER TIMBERLANDS STUNT!

Native Forest Action urges the public and media to be skeptical of the latest Timberlands public relations stunt which is scheduled for Tuesday, 12:30pm outside Parliament Buildings.

Native Forest Action says that Coast Action Network (CAN), which was devised at a Timberlands PR strategy meeting 2 years ago, is coming to Wellington for the latest pro-native logging event and the public should be wary of taking their actions at face-value.

"The protest will be a political stunt that will make many West Coasters feel sick to see local representatives supporting ACT and National - both of whom have policies to privatise Timberlands. The pro-Timberlands group has secretly planned the protest in Wellington with National and ACT."

"The sad irony is that they will be greeted by Richard Prebble whose party, with National, plan to privatise the West Coast pine and native logging. Why is CAN supporting these parties?"

"If an ACT/NZ First/National coalition form after November 27, the West Coast will be worse off. Not only will the native forests be logged, but the cutting rights will be privatised with profit and logs exported from the West Coast."

"West Coasters who may have the best of intentions are being co-opted to support parties that have policies which would have the most devistating effect on the forests and their community."

"We urge the public to keep in mind the relationships recently exposed between Timberlands, Shandwick (Timberlands' PR company) and CAN in Secrets and Lies and not allow them to keep manipulating the issue".

Native Forest Action supports policies that will end Timberlands' native forest logging and provide the West Coast with a development package in return for protecting native forests as a conservation and eco-tourism asset.

For further information contact:

Dean Baigent- Mercer 383-5168 or 025-2085-288

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