THE SOCIETY S ANNUAL MEETING. 73 



something from him presently, but though he may not be able 

 to say anything very definite with regard to this particular point, 

 I hope he will be able to reassure us that the question is not 

 being lost sight of, and is not likely to be lost sight of." 



Mr Sutherland. — "Sir Andrew Agnew and gentlemen, I 

 feel I am probably not quite in a position to deal fully with the 

 Secretary for Scotland's letter, but I would like to say this, that at 

 the present time I think we should not press too much the question 

 of afforestation. We are all very keen about it. I know you are, 

 and I know everybody is anxious to forward afforestation, but this 

 is hardly the time to talk very much about it. The country is 

 involved in a serious war, and it is now our duty to see that the war 

 is first of all concluded before we can deal with domestic questions 

 of this kind. Afforestation really means a greal deal of very 

 heavy expenditure, and money is not easily found at present, 

 and just for the moment I would rather turn your thoughts to 

 the urgent necessity of utilising to the best advantage the 

 timber that is growing at home. 



" The Government have appointed a Committee for the purpose 

 of purchasing the standing timber, and of manufacturing it. That 

 Committee has not been appointed to enter into conflict with the 

 trade, and it is not the intention of the Committee to compete with 

 the trade. Its duty, in the first place, is to increase the production 

 so that our forces in the field may be supported by material, and, 

 in the second place, to conserve, as far as possible, our own 

 capital, and to make use of our own money in this country. 

 On behalf of the Committee I would ask you all, as far as 

 possible, to co-operate with them, to help them, not only in the 

 production of material, but in other ways, such as by offering 

 the services of any men you know who could help the Committee 

 in fulfilling and carrying out its work. I should say from the date 

 of the commencement of our work we have found the Timber 

 Trade Association, and the members of the timber trade in 

 Scotland, most desirous and willing to assist. We have got from 

 them, and through them, a very much larger supply, for instance, 

 of the most necessary requirements than we have as yet 

 obtained in England. The timber merchants of Scotland have 

 done exceedingly well, and it is our hope that the present 

 satisfactory relations that exist between the trade and ourselves 

 will continue to the end. 



" We have appointed a small Committee to assist us in Scotland 



