THE TIMBER MARKET 69 



Siberia, our position under these two distinct counts 

 should be clearly understood ; so far, that is, as it 

 can be estimated from data collected on the resources 

 of the existing forests of the world from which the 

 timber markets have been drawing their supplies in 

 the past. 



The present position of the timber market is 

 admittedly abnormal. In the last article the prices 

 existing in February 1916 were contrasted with the 

 market rates in force just previous to the outbreak of 

 war. It has also been shown that we are now com- 

 mitted to a policy of felling in our own woods which 

 probably will leave us with little of commercial value 

 at the close of the war. 



It becomes apparent then that the urgent points 

 for consideration now before the nation are those 

 embodied in the two heads above stated. That we 

 should make such arrangements as shall ensure supplies 

 of an adequate nature becoming available as soon as 

 the war ends, or as soon as the trend of the fighting 

 shall have opened ports now closed, in order to supply 

 in the cheapest manner the enormous demand which 

 will exist ; and secondly, that such steps shall be 

 taken as shall ensure our needs in timber, pit props and 

 wood pulp, etc., being satisfied at reasonable rates 

 during the next forty to fifty years. 



(i) The arrangements to be made to cope with the 

 position which will face ourselves and our Allies at the 

 end of the war. Where are we and our Allies going to 

 look for the large supplies of timber, etc., which will 

 be required at the close of the war ? The present 

 high prices and the large demand for materials which 



