168 NEW BRUNSWICK FORESTRY CONVENTION 



owner looks after at once on coming into possession of a new property, as of 

 vital importance to him. 



There are a few reflections on this subject that come to me, in part from 

 my acquaintance with New Brunswick, in part, from our home experience. 

 These are, first, that spasmodic and irregular work is of little account. A 

 consistent policy consistently carried out, even though not perfect, is far- 

 better than occasional efforts and spasmodic reforms. Secondly is the idea 

 that good forest management is a matter largely influenced by definite loca- 

 tion and circumstances. Treatment by general rules and at long range lacks 

 very much of being the most efficient. Things have got to be settled in view 

 of all the facts to be seen on the ground. Thirdly, is the idea connected 

 with this last, that laws and regulations passed will not do the business, but 

 have got to be followed up by men, active and efficient men, men on the 

 ground, before anything of account can be secured. So, for instance, it has 

 proved in tire protection with us. Well-meant laws were on the statute 

 books of our states since Colonial times, but they never amounted to any- 

 thing till state and local fire wardens \vere appointed to look after their ad- 

 ministration. So it has been_ wherever careful regulation of woods operations 

 has been tried. Well - meant and carefully - framed rules have failed, have 

 operated sometimes to defeat their own ends, until they were backed up by 

 men to look after their execution. 



So it seems to me will it be with your own new forest law. Its good in- 

 tent is plain. The substantial nature of the objects at which it aims is clear; 

 but as I read its provisions, I was led to ask in my own mind what exactly 

 is the organization, and who exactly are the men, to whom are entrusted the 

 task of carrying out its manifold provisions ? Leaving aside large matters of 

 policy, whose is the less showy, but no less important task of devising plans, 

 of mapping out work, of passing regulations and carrying them out, of 

 settling day after day and year after year the minor questions that are bound 

 to arise ? Here it seems to me is a main and crucial point, for on the char- 

 acter of that administrative routine work will turn in great measure the suc- 

 cess of your forest policy and the welfare, so far forth, of the Province. A 

 permanent and well-equipped office of forest administration, therefore, under 

 skilled and permanent leadership, with means at its command, with authority 

 in minor matters, with a force of men engaged in executing its orders and at 

 the same time amassing the fund of information on which its administration 

 aad policy must be based this seems to me to be the plain, insistent demand 

 of the situation. 



