32 CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION 



neglecting these two particular assets of this Province and of this whole 

 country ; but unfortunately those men, whether they were in the Local 

 Legislature or in the Dominion Parliament, found that they had very few 

 supporters, for the reason that there were some powerful enemies of the 

 cause they espoused. There was an apathy on the part of the public at 

 large and very few active friends could be found to take part in the struggle 

 in those Legislative Assemblies. At its inception, our organization con- 

 ceived the idea that it was necessary for us to appeal directly to the public 

 of this Province, and not merely to hold meetings once a year. We there- 

 fore held meetings throughout the length and breadth of this Province. The 

 first friend we obtained was the greatest of all friends the Press. We 

 found throughout the Province, even in the smallest towns, that the Press 

 assisted us when we explained what we were doing. Now, gentlemen, I 

 submit to you that while there are gentlemen here who understand the tech- 

 nicalities of Forestry, an'd others who understand the practical benefits that 

 will be derived from this movement, at the same time it will be necessary 

 for you to wake up the public generally to this cause. (Applause). That is 

 merely a suggestion thrown out to you. I would say that the work of this 

 organization should go on throughout the year, and not be contented with 

 one big Convention (Hear, hear) ; that good and capable speakers from your 

 body should give their services in the direction of delivering lectures through- 

 out the length and breadth of the country ; that the organization should 

 place lantern slides before the people exhibiting what the wastefulness of 

 forest resources means. For instance, the pictures that His Excellency has 

 mentioned would make magnificent material for this purpose, and by this 

 means the people generally should be hammered at, and the idea steadily 

 thrust upon them that it is necessary for their interests to give this body 

 the strength that it needs in the Legislative Assemblies of this country 

 in order to absolutely crush the enemies that have been opposing it. 

 (Applause.) You have a great enemy besides the ones that have been, men- 

 tioned; the greatest of all the apathy of the people. (Applause.) Endeavour 

 to conquor that enemy and I believe you will win your struggle. To show 

 you that the organization which I have the honour to represent here today 

 realizes the importance of the forest, I may say that we started with the 

 name, "Fish and Game Protective Association," but at our Convention held 

 in Toronto last year, assisted, I am glad to say, by the able address of 

 Doctor Fernow (Applause) we succeeded in inducing the delegates, who 

 came from all over this Province as far north as Sault Ste. Marie, to change 

 the name of the organization to the "Forest, Fish and Game Protective Asso- 

 ciation." (Applause.) Now, gentlemen, we have been too busy with the 

 fish and game matters to use our efforts in reference to the Forestry ; but I 

 assure you that since our organization came into being, the Government of 

 the Province of Ontario has advanced distinctly all along the line in the 

 direction of recognizing the asset of the' Province in fish and game. 

 (Applause.) Wiser legislation has been passed, and a greater effort shown 

 by the officers of the Department in enforcing that legislation; and I can 



