2 Canadian Forestry Journal. 



posterity, and no eyes for anything but their own immediate 

 requirements. 



Gentlemen, there are no more melancholy reflections than 

 those suggested by the sight of a country, once rich and equipped 

 with all the majesty and panoply of power, which has become a 

 waste and a stony desert through the reckless improvidence of 

 its own people. 



It is the object of this Convention to fix the attention of the 

 people of the Dominion on the warning which these and other 

 countries hold out to us as to the practices we should carefully 

 avoid, if we are in earnest in our hope that our beloved Canada 

 may fulfil the high destiny which will be fulfilled if this genera- 

 tion is gifted with sufificient foresight and self-control to husband 

 the resources so abundantly lavished upon it by a bountiful 

 Providence. 



It is because I hope that this Convention may be the means 

 of averting from every part of Canada the sad fate of those 

 countries to which I have referred that I have gladly accepted 

 the request that has been m.ade to me to open this Convention. I 

 sincerely hope that the results w^hich will flow from the Conven- 

 tion he has called will realize the hopes of Sir Wilfrid Laurier. 

 I am glad to see so many here and I note with peculiar satisfac- 

 tion the presence of the eminent gentlemen from the United 

 States who have come here in a spirit of fraternal sympathy and 

 co-operation to give us the great help of their assistance. I now, 

 with great pleasure, declare this Convention open. 



Sir Wilfrid Laurier — In the name of the Canadian 

 Forestry Association which has conceived and planned this 

 Conference and in the name of the Canadian Parliament, 

 which has authorized and approved it, it is my privilege 

 and my pleasure to extend to you all a most hearty greet- 

 ing. Welcome to one; welcome to all. Especially should 

 I welcome, even after the words of His Excellency the 

 Governor General, the representatives of the American Republic 

 who are present with us on this occasion, and who bring to us 

 the benefit of their knowledge and experience. Welcome also 

 to the representatives of the Provincial Governments, without 

 whose aid and co-operation our efforts could never have the full 

 fruition which we anticipate from them. Welcome also to the 

 representatives of the great railway companies which are placed 

 in a position to give, perhaps m.ore than any other class of the 

 community, the benefit of their experience and knowledge to 

 us. Welcome also to the representatives of the great lumbering 

 class, who, perhaps, are more interested than any other class of 

 the community in the maintenance, preservation and protection 

 of the forests. Welcome to the University men whom we see 

 efore us, welcome to the traders, welcome to the sportsmen. 



