FOKEST RESOURCES OF AUSTRALIA. 249 



XXIX. The Forest Resources of Australia available for British 

 Commerce.^ By E. T. Scammell, F.R.G.S., formerly Com- 

 mercial Representative for the West Australian Government. 



One of the most important duties requiring the eai-ly attention 

 of the Federal Government of Australia is that of dealing with 

 the forest resources of the Commonwealth. At present the forest 

 laws and regulations in force, according to the opinion of the 

 Victorian Royal Commission on Forestry, 1901, are " weak, 

 unsystematic, and inefficient." This has been acknowledged at 

 different times by the various Governments of the Australian 

 States, and desultory efforts to introduce some scheme of State 

 regulation have been made, but no scientific and comprehensive 

 plan, on the lines laid down by France, Germany, or British 

 India, has apparently been seriously considered, or, at any rate, 

 attempted. Referring to the need of forest conservation and 

 management in Greater Britain, Professor Schlich says : " Surely 

 the time has come, or rather, it came some time ago, for a more 

 vigorous forest policy on sensible lines throughout the Empire. 

 Let us strive to introduce systematic forest management^ more 

 particularly into Canada and Australasia, The question is no 

 doubt beset by great difficulties, but where there is a will there 

 is also a way. Above all, let the self-governing Colonies consider 

 the magnificent example which has been set them by India, 

 where the preservation of the State forests has now been put on 

 a safe basis, for the everlasting benefit of the people of the country 

 and the Indian exchequer. Humboldt says that ' men in all 

 climates ' — by the indiscriminate felling of trees — ' prepare at 

 once two calamities for future generations — a want of wood and 

 a scarcity of water.' In order to avoid these calamities, which will 

 as surely fall upon the New World as the old, unless prevented 

 by wise and timely action, it is incumbent upon British Colonial 

 Governments to give the question of forest control and develop- 

 ment their most careful and enlightened consideration." 



I am glad to know that the labours of the Victorian Commis- 

 sion have resulted in a strong recommendation being made, to the 

 efiect that the action of the Government of India should be 

 followed by the Legislatures of Australia. It is satisfactory also 

 to note that the Western Australian Government have lately 

 appointed a commission for the purpose of obtaining information, 



^ Read before the British Association at Southport, 1903. 

 VOL. XVII. PART II. R 



