208 Canadian Forcstr]) Journal, May, 1919 



have played into the pockets of foreign timber We give herewith part of a letter received 



salesmen continuously. To penetrate this veil from Hom. R. T. Robinson, K.C., Minister for 



of darkness would indeed be a service worth Forests, of West Australia: 

 reckoning. 



Perth, West Australia, Jan. 30, 1919. 



"The basic purpose which is the genesis of your society has my heartiest sympathy. 

 By no means the least important of the lessons of the war to the Empire is that which has 

 reference to forests. It appears to me also that no war-lesson has been so widely ap- 

 preciated and understood. Evidences of this are everywhere visible. Your Association is 

 one, and, in Great Britain, the Forestry Sub-Committee of the Reconstruction Committee 

 is another. I have perused the report of this sub-committee with the deepest intrest, and 

 noted with satisfaction that its recommendations embody the sound forestry principles 

 advocated by such able exponents of national forestry as Lord Lovat, Sir William Schlich 

 and Sir John Stirling Maxwell. 



"In Australia, war experience has awakened a forest conscience in quarters which 

 had previously bee:: i.Tipervious to argument and irresponsive to considerations of national 

 economics. Here, too, the evidences of the existence of a new and better spirit towards 

 forests are many. In 1916 New South Wales passed an admirable Forest Act; since then 

 Victoria and this State have done likewise. The measure put on the Statute Book of 

 Western Australia some six weeks ago is designed to put an end to reckless exploitation 

 and to foster and cultivate our great forest heritage so that it may be the basis of great 

 industries for all time. 



"An Empire Association such as you outline is, in my opinion, a step in the right 

 direction. There are many matters in regard to which mutual help and advice would 

 be of value, and an Empire Forestry Association would act at once as a sort of Forestry 

 Clearing House and Information Bureau. Mr. C. E. Lane-Poole, Conservator of Forests 

 here, is at one with me in this matter, and he wil Ibe very pleased to help in any way 

 he can." 



CHANGING THE OLD ORDER IN AUSTRALIA. 

 The following letter was received from Mr. C. E. Lane-Poole, Conservator of Forests, 

 Western Australia: 



"My Minister has handed to me your letter of the 15th November last, in which you 

 furnish some details regarding a projected British Empire Forestry Association designed 

 to bring into closer co-operation the various forestry departments and associations through- 

 out the Empire. The idea appeals strongly to me, as I am fully convinced that it is only 

 by systematically educating public opinion that the true relationship between forestry and 

 national economy will be brought home to the various people within the Empire. 



"I understand that my Minister is writing to you by this mail and is giving you some 

 information as to what has been done here and also has added some suggestions whereby 

 the objects of your proposed association may be helped so far as Australia is concerned. 

 In this State the public conscience has only of recent days been aroused to the vast im- 

 portance of the country's great natural forest heritage, and those engaged in the work 

 of forming public opinion have been met b]' an almost impenetrable wall of prejudice and 

 ignorance. 



"Since the foundation of the colony of Western Australia 90 years ago, the belief 

 has prevailed that the forests of the country are inexhaustible and this belief has found 

 expression in the cruel and destructive methods of conversion. Exploitation in conse- 

 quence has been carried on with a recklessness that has reduced the forest wealth very 

 materially. But a better state of things is coming about and, aided by a Forest Act, 

 passed in the end of last December, I have hopes that we shall be able to repair much 

 of the damage done in the past, and to adopt a policy for the future, which will ensure a 

 continuance of this State's position as the premier timber exporting State of the Com- 

 monwealth group. 



