60 CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. 



The reason that those insects spread so rapidly, is the common one with all in- 

 sects when they arrive in a new country, and that is, they have the ground all before 

 them, and spread with enormous rapidity, having no enemies of their own class. 

 Perhaps in a few years some other insect may arise and kill off the saw-flies, and so 

 spare the tamaracks. 



The CHAIRMAN. I wish to announce that I have received a telegram from Sena- 

 tor Edwards, who was to have been with us, but who hr.s been unable to come. He 

 says that he is extremely sorry that he has to forego the pleasure of being with us, 

 on account of a severe cold, and he gives us the most satisfactory piece of news that 

 this association has had since its inception, I think 



' Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who takes a deep interest in forestry, expresses a desire to 

 have a large forestry conference at Ottawa some time during the coming summer or 

 autumn, and authorizes me to bring the matter before the conference now sitting at 

 Quebec. I am satisfied that the Dominion government will render suitable aid to 

 such a conference.' 



For a number of years we have been endeavouring to create a strong public opin- 

 ion upon the subject of forestry. We have been gradually but systematically making 

 converts to our cause. The most recent and most notable convert (perhaps I should 

 not say ' convert ' because he was in our favour before) is Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and 

 Ihe fact that the Dominion government is interested in the work that, we are carrying- 

 on, and that Sir Wilfrid has expressed his wish that we should go to the Capital and 

 hold a conference there, and that he will render us all the aid and assistance that is 

 necessary, is, as I said before, perhaps the most satisfactory piece of information 

 tli at this association has ever had conveyed to it. 



I think we ought to elect as president of this association some gentleman who can 

 take this matter up and arrange with Sir Wilfrid when that conference ought to be 

 called, and work out the details for the consummation of a very successful meeting. 



We have with us all the provincial governments, and now we are assured that 

 we have the Dominion government, and we also have the Governor General of the 

 country with us. With all this, I do not think that the association was ever in a better 

 position than we are in to-day. 



Mr. STEWART. I am very pleased indeed that this information has come at the 

 time it has. I was aware of this before, but I did not feel at liberty to mention it here. 

 I was aware of the fact that Sir Wilfrid proposed calling a meeting at Ottawa. He 

 has told Senator Edwards of the fact and Senator Edwards has communicated it to us. 



As our president has said, Sir Wilfrid is not a c-onvert, he has been for several 

 years interested in the work which we are doing, but recently he has taken a very 

 lively interest in forestry. And now that we have the Governor General and the 

 Premier both heartily with us I do not see that we could possibly be better off. 



As has been stated in the directors' report, we called upon His Excellency and 

 asked him to become patron of the association, and he not only said that he would be 

 glad to do so, but that he would also be pleased to do anything that he could to assist 

 u.s in the work we are carrying on. He oven went so far as to say that he would 

 throw open the ball room at Eideau Hall for a meeting, and would issue invitations. 



Gentlemen, it is a very fortunate thing indeed that S.ir Wilfrid has imparted this 

 information to us, to go before the public at the present time. 



