44 



deserves very much more recognition than it has had in the past 

 from Government patronage, and also I may say from Govern- 

 ment funds. But our main reason in bringing this resolution 

 before the Society at this time is to see that immediate steps are 

 taken for doing something. We do not depart in any way from 

 the contentions which we have always made as to the means 

 which should be taken for the development of forestry in this 

 country, but we feel sure that it is necessary, if good is to come 

 out of it when peace is signed, that schemes which are under- 

 taken then will be such as will commend themselves to the 

 country, and be productive of practical good. Unless those 

 schemes are well thought out beforehand, they will not be 

 successful. It is the immediate preparation of the schemes which 

 is so absolutely essential in the circumstances in which we find 

 ourselves. We do not ask for large purchases of land, or for any 

 large expenditure just now. We have a feeling, I am sure, that 

 all our available resources should be used for prosecuting this 

 war to a successful conclusion, but there is already in existence the 

 nucleus of a staff, the nucleus, I might almost say, of a depart- 

 ment, which is capable of considering these schemes, and it is 

 those people who should be empowered to undertake that 

 consideration now, and should be provided now with sufficient 

 funds, which would necessarily be very small, to carry out their 

 investigations, and to put things in proper form for the ex- 

 penditure of larger amounts in the future. I think that that 

 should be made clear, and I am quite confident that in urging 

 this resolution to-day, and in urging it, when passed, upon the 

 Government, we are doing a good work not only for forestry, 

 which we look upon as an essential part of our national progress 

 in the future, but we are doing a good turn for our country, and 

 for some of those who have been fighting for us across the seas 

 and who may want our help when they come back. I have 

 great pleasure in formally moving the adoption of the resolution." 



Mr W. M. Price, Factor, Minto, seconded. 



Mr E. G. Baxter of Teases suggested that the words 

 "and sailors" be added to the resolution, which was agreed to. 



The Chairman invited suggestions before putting the resolu- 

 tion to the meeting. 



Professor Somerville, of the Chair of Rural Economy, Oxford 

 University, said : — " I am very glad to have an opportunity of 

 appearing at a meeting. Whether I may have come with any 



