12 CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION 



ARCHBISHOP BRUCHESI'S ADDRESS. 



Your Excellency, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, My name is not on 

 the programme of this opening meeting of your congress. I could not, however, 

 refuse the gracious invitation extended me by your distinguished president to ad- 

 dress a few words to you. 



One of your members whose scientific attainments are recognized throughout 

 the whole Dominion, my genial neighbor, my friend, Monseigneur Laflamme, said 

 recently in Quebec at Laval University, "Of all the questions of public interest 

 which concern the economic future of Canada, I know none of more importance than 

 that of the forests. It is on this point that all the solicitude of Canadians ought 

 to converge, since upon the solution given to this problem will depend in large meas- 

 ure the general prosperity of the country. We are rich in forests; from this point 

 of view we are perhaps the richest people in the world, but our forestal resources are 

 not inexhaustible. To say so would be to give evidence of bad faith and of 

 ignorance." 



Gentlemen, there is an announcement that nobody can misconstrue; it is given 

 competently and there is at the same time in these words an entire programme. 

 To the execution of this programme it is necessary that we should give our whole 

 strength; it responds to a conviction which I have long entertained. If anything 

 could surprise us it is that we should have waited until 1900 to create the Forestry 

 Association, of which you are members; but after all there is still time, provided that 

 we Canadians go to work, and I aver with joy that, from one end of the Dominion 

 to the other, we are seriously attacking the work. 



Last year I followed, from Montreal, with the greatest interest your discussions 

 and your proceedings at Ottawa; your president knows that I did not hesitate an 

 instant to become myself a member of your Association. The papers which have 

 been published contain extremely important information and considerations, and 

 to the report of your deliberations and of your resolutions, let me tell you, 

 gentlemen, that I have given a place of honour in the library of the archepiscopal 

 palace. 



From those who wish to become members of the Association the modest sub- 

 scription of one dollar a year is asked. It seems to me that this is purchasing a great 

 honour much too cheaply, and giving for nothing papers and works of the highest 

 interest, of the greatest importance. 



If you see me this morning in your midst it is not alone in response to the invi- 

 tation which has been courteously extended to me; for, I desire, gentlemen, as 

 Archbishop of Montreal, to express to you from all in this city, which you have 

 chosen as the place for your congress, the most cordial welcome; and at the same 

 time I pledge myself, so to speak, and with myself I pledge all the clergy who are 



