president's address. 637 



of men. I find that some years ago in Switzerland, where, as 

 above stated, tlie State management yields a large revenue, there 

 were employed on the forests 5,851 persons, including 150 trained 

 forestry officials and from 1,500 to 2,000 foresters and overseers, 

 the area of forest being 1,940,659 acres. 



It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this subject, 

 and it is to be hoped that with the assistance of the able officers 

 w^hich the Government have at their service some really energetic 

 steps ma}'- be taken. 



I gather from reports kindly furnished to me from Mr. Gill 

 that in South Australia the area inclosed for planting operations 

 was, on the 30th June, 1891, 11,425 acres, and that during the 

 year following that date an additional area of 320 acres was 

 added. This is a good start for a colony where indigenous timber 

 of value is scarce, and I sincerel}' wish success to Mr. Gill's efforts. 



In order to prove what a hold this question has already 

 obtained upon the practical commercial mind in America, I quote 

 the following from the Century Magazine of Sej^tember last : — 



" During the present year the advocates of a modern forest 

 policy have received the important support of the two leading 

 mercantile organisations of New York City. On January 3rd, 

 1895, the New York Chamber of Commerce, after special con- 

 sideration of the subject, adopted unanimously the following- 

 resolutions : — 



Whereas, A thorough inquiry into the questinn of the preservation of our 

 forest laniis is of permanent importance to agricultural and other 

 interests, thereupon be it 



Resolved, That this Chamber recommend to the United States Senate and 

 House of Representatives in Congress assembled, to pass a Bill which 

 authorises the President of the United-States to appoint a Commission 

 of three experts and make the necessary appropriation for the purpose 

 or a thorough study of our public timber lands, so as to determine 

 what portions ought to be preserved in the interest of the people, to 

 prepare a plan for their management, and report the same within a 

 year of their appointment. The Commission to have access to all 

 public documents bearing on the subject. 



