2l6 president's address — section h. 



Thfere is nci doubt that the world's forests are under present 

 conditions being rapidly worked out. There has been great 

 waste. 



The increasing use of steel and other materials is partly making 

 up for the decreasing supplies of timber for architectural and 

 engineering work, but for many purposes wood is and is likely 

 tci remain the most suitable material. In railway work, for in- 

 stance, steel sleepers are slowly taking the place of wooden ones, 

 but en a recent trip round the world I did not find one engineer 

 whoi would not give preference to wooden sleepers as long as the 

 price IS not pj'obibitive. In many ether cases the position is the 

 same. 



Now, with scientific handling of forest areas, such as is begin- 

 ning to be applied in a few instances, the output of timber from 

 existing forests can be increased in quantity and improved in 

 quality. Large areas of country now denuded of timber might, 

 with prcifit to the community, be used for timber-growing and 

 jiroduce a more profitable harvest. 



The comparatively slow growth of timber makes investment of 

 funds in timber-raising unpopular among the business portion of 

 onr cornmunity. 



This is a case in which Governments are in the best position 

 to act. The Foiest Departments of our States should receive 

 encouragement from us, and scientifically trained men with long 

 heads thculd be soiight for, and encouraged, by good remuneration, 

 tO' develop this most important work. 



Testinf/. — With the advance of science in connexion with onr 

 work more and more testing of materials and parts of structures 

 is being done, with very good results, but development in this 

 direction must proceed further if we are to get the best work 

 done. At present there is a growing need for better organized 

 and better equipped testing labcralcries in onr States. Whether 

 such laboratories are connected with onr Universities or estab- 

 lished under other control is a point of minor importance, so long 

 as they are equal to the work of giving results with the accuracy 

 required in reasonable time. We are behind hand in this respect. 

 Money spent on providing establishments for testing would "be 

 well invested. We ought not to lag behind the rest of the world 

 m this matter. It cannot be said that we have the facilities which 

 are highly desirable, and many complaints as to the want of 

 them are heard. Some good work is being done, but not enough, 

 W^e have competent men available, but until Governments are 

 impressed with the importance and value of high -class testing 

 and its results in prevention of waste and accident, provision 

 of equipment will be slow. Private enterprise is not likely to 

 supply the need. . 



