52 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



subject. Judging from the number of valuable papers read, and 

 the discussions which followed on the various points raised, one 

 is forced to the conclusion that the Conference has given a 

 further gratifying stimulus to the forward movement. 



No better way can be conceived in which to help forward 

 the cause of forestry than to see the growers, sellers, 

 buyers, and converters of timber, meeting on one common 

 platform, and by their united efforts seeking to devise the best 

 means of promoting their common interests. Unity is 

 strength, and if only all those who are personally interested 

 in the British Timber industry would realise the enormous 

 influence which, acting in a body, they would command 

 if all were working for one common end — that of helping one 

 another — then many of the obstacles which now hamper the 

 commercial development of forestry would soon be overcome 

 In the words of the President of the London Chamber of 

 Commerce (Sir Albert Spicer), " Legitimate differences will no 

 doubt always exist between buyers and sellers as to the price 

 and merits of the article in which they deal; enlightened self- 

 interest in these strenuous times should bring them more closely 

 together where they have common difficulties and common 

 grievances." 



The subjects dealt with were — " Railway Rates for Native as 

 compared with Imported Foreign Timber ; " " Extraordinary 

 Traffic;" "The Rating and Taxation of Woodlands;" and "The 

 best means of encouraging the Consumption of Native Timber." 

 All will agree that these questions are of vital importance in 

 connection with the commercial development of forestry. 



With regard to " Railway Rates," it has for long been a 

 standing grievance with both growers and buyers that round 

 timber is charged for at a much higher rate than if it were sawn 

 or " converted." Mr Hopton, the author of the paper on the 

 subject, quoted various instances proving this to be the case, 

 and showing that in every instance a decided preference is given 

 to imported timber. He gave the actual rates on timber 

 from the South of Ireland to London, via Milford Haven, from 

 Dublin, via Holyhead, and from Belfast, at 15s. per ton. On the 

 other hand, the rate from the Continent, via Southampton, is only 

 I2S. 6d.; and he went on to say that since the rates for timber to 

 any of the points between the ports mentioned and London, or 

 over any equal distance are far in excess of the rates to them 



