42 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



7. British Empire Forestry Conference. 



By F. R. S. Bai.fouk. 



That a British Empire Forestry Conference sat in London in 

 July 1920 is known to everyone who takes an interest in the 

 subject of forestry, but the resolutions which were then agreed 

 upon by delegates sent from all parts of the Empire, who met at 

 the invitation of our own British Forestry Commission, deserve 

 wider recognition than perhaps they have yet received. It is 

 remarkable that such unanimity on many controversial subjects 

 was reached among men representing such diverse conditions 

 as obtain in tropical countries like the Malay States and East 

 and West Africa on the one hand, and the provinces of 

 Canada on the other. Within the limits of a short article it 

 is impossible to do more than summarise the very important 

 recommendations that were made as the result of the exhaustive 

 discussions that took place during the several days that the 

 conclave lasted. The exchange of views and the dissemination 

 of information among the delegates and associate delegates 

 cannot fail to bear lasting fruit. Lord Lovat and the other 

 Forestry Commissioners were indeed fortunate to be able to 

 play a leading part in a conference of such immense importance 

 so early in their own corporate life, and are to be congratulated 

 on the admitted great success of this initial Forestry Conference 

 of the Empire. 



The first Resolution urged upon the several Governments 

 was that they adopt forthwith a definite forest policy to be 

 administered by a properly constituted and adequate forest 

 service. All the delegates had made statements as to the 

 forestry policy at present in force in their countries. To British 

 India belonged the honour of claiming that her Government 

 was first in the field in setting an example to the rest of the 

 Empire in the development of forestry "on systematic lines 

 based on scientific principles," to quote the words of that doyen 

 of British foresters, Sir William Schlich, who took part in the 

 conference and to whom all foresters, but especially those of 

 India, owe such an incalculable debt. The steps that many 

 Governments have now taken to conserve the forests that are 

 left to them and to promote their extension have been somewhat 

 belated. It is only in recent years that Canada, whose 



