Clark set to move on beech logging

The Government is on the brink of implementing its first major policy - stopping native beech logging on the West Coast by Timberlands.

But it appears Timberlands West Coast will go ahead with resource consent hearings today.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday that the Government was still working through the legal process of instructing Timberlands to pull out of the consent process.

"I can't say whether an instruction will be able to be delivered before it [the start of the consent process] or not. It's a matter of timing."

Timberlands chairman Warren Young said the hearings were going ahead as planned.

"As I have said continuously, as and when the Government directs us not to proceed we will respond accordingly, but until that point is reached we intend to press ahead with the hearings as scheduled."

Finance Minister Michael Cullen, who with Forestry Minister Pete Hodgson met Timberlands board members on Friday, said yesterday that he had not received any legal advice over the weekend.

It is understood that Timberland's contracts with sawmillers have an "out" clause to allow for Government policy changes.

The Government is treading carefully to observe the legal process and counter threats of legal action.

- STAFF REPORTER, NZPA