12 



Air George Leven, Bowmont Forest, Kelso, moved the 

 following resolution j — 



"This meeting of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, 

 while cordially welcoming the appointment of the 

 Interim Forest Authority, respectfully • urges the 

 Government to pass without delay the necessary 

 legislation, setting up a permanent Forest Authority 

 with Local Executives and endowed with adequate 

 funds and the fullest powers to enable it to carry 

 out effectively a progressive forest policy for the 

 United Kingdom, having regard to the extent of 

 suitable land available in each country as well as 

 to the timber requirements of the whole kingdom." 



"I think the resolution requires very few words at this time 

 to commend it to you. The facts as laid before you by Colonel 

 Fothringham are exactly what I would lay before you. The 

 fact that this Interim Authority has so little power to act is 

 really the vital point in the whole motion. The necessity of 

 having a permanent Authority established at once has been 

 stated by Colonel Fothringham. I think we are all at one in 

 that. We have urged this for at least a quarter of a century, 

 probably well on for half a century, but a quarter of a century 

 in my own experience — the setting up of something that would 

 co-ordinate all our efforts. In my humble capacity I have been 

 asked repeatedly by small landed proprietors, ' What are we ' 

 going to plant? Is there any prospect of this Forest Authority 

 giving us any lead ? Are the Government to take any hand 

 with the re-afforestation, or shall we be expected to carry out 

 the whole operations ourselves? What are the prospects as 

 to the supply of seed and plants and labour?' There are a 

 great many things that I feel myself I am unable to answer 

 at this time. Probably ten or twelve years ago I would have 

 attempted to answer a good many of these questions. At the 

 present time when so much has been promised and so little 

 accomplished one has their doubts about giving advice on these 

 points, and I think this is a strong reason why this Authority 

 should be established without the least delay, in order that 

 these people who are anxious to carry out these afforestation 

 problems in the areas that have been cleared should be able 

 to get the advice they want from the recognised authorities 



