182 Canadian Forestry Journal. 



home consumption, especially with the rapid settlement of our 

 plains region, there can be no question that high as timber is 

 to-day, its value in the future will certainly increase. 



The intelligent lumberman is per force a forester, and I am 

 glad to say that ever since the Canadian Forestry Association 

 was organized the lumbermen have been among its leading 

 spirits and the invitation of the Association by the Western 

 Lumber and Shingle Manufacturers' here, is an evidence that 

 they appreciate the work that the Association is endeavoring to 

 do. 



I trust that good results will follow the deliberations of this 

 Assembly. 



I know it is quite possible to have interesting discussions, 

 and yet fail of accomplishing what should be done, and I would 

 suggest that you appoint a Committee on Resolutions, so that a 

 united expression of the meeting may be obtained on some very 

 important matters, and as this meeting is in British Columbia, I 

 think that the members of the Association will agree that it will 

 be both profitable and fitting that Forestry matters, as they 

 relate to this Province, should be given first place, and I would 

 further suggest that certain amendments to your Bush Fires Act 

 should be considered. One of the most important is to prohibit 

 the setting out of fires in clearing land within any proclaimed 

 fire district during certain months of the year, unless the party 

 setting out the fire has obtained a permit from the Fire Warden 

 of the District in question. 



Another is the question of a patrol service on Provincial 

 timber lands, to which I have already alluded. 



We frequently hear it said that certain fires did not burn 

 any timber large enough for commercial purposes, only small 

 stuff, is the expression, but let me say that the farmer might as 

 well consider his unripe crop valueless, as for the nation to place 

 no value on the splendid young growth of timber that you will 

 see, if you have an opportunity of visiting any of the surrounding 

 country that has been swept by fire some years ago. It is only a 

 difference in point of time, and a score of years in the life of a 

 nation, is less than one in that of an individual. 



Gentlemen, we should remember that this is an inherit- 

 ance that nature is bestowing on succeeding generations, and 

 the Government of the Country should recognize that they are 

 Trustees of an Estate, and that their duties are not only to those 

 whom they at present represent, but to future generations as well. 



The favorite maxim of Adam Smith, that Governments 

 exist for the protection of life and property-, has to be read in 

 its broadest and most comprehensive sense in a new country 

 with growing, as well as undeveloped, resources. 



