CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. 37 



AFTERNOON SESSION, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 23rd 



The Convention assembled at 2 p.m. Senator W. C. Edwards, Vice- 

 President, who had arrived at noon, in the chair. Both the floor and the 

 galleries of the Chamber were well filled, many ladies also being present. 

 The first item on the programme was the address of Hon. Clifford Sifton, 

 on "The Relation of the Commission of Conservation to the Objects of 

 the Canadian Forestry Association." 



On taking the Chair, Hon. Senator Edwards said. 



Ladies and Gentlemen, Before calling on Hon. Mr. Sifton, allow me 

 to congratulate the people of New Brunswick on the magnificent gathering 

 on this occasion. It far exceeds a similar gathering which took place in 

 Toronto last year, and it shows the live interest the people of New Bruns- 

 wick have in the question which is now before us. If I may be permitted 

 also, not having had an opportunity of seeing your beautiful city before, I 

 wish to congratulate you upon it, and also upon your fine and commodious 

 Parliament Buildings. The Forestry Association has labored without ac- 

 complishing much except perhaps arousing the people of Canada to some 

 extent to the desirability of preserving their forests. The great destruction 

 of our forests, as far as I have any knowledge, arises from fires. Improve- 

 ments have taken place in the system of protecting the forests. I refer to 

 the forest ranger system which exists in the Provinces of Ontario and 

 Quebec, and, I believe, also in your Province. But, as I have said, that 

 did not originate with this Association. It was inaugurated prior to its 

 existence. I am hopeful, however, that from the work which, I trust, will 

 be accomplished by the gentleman who will shortly addess you, aided, as 

 I hope he will be aided by this Association, that rapid and permanent prog- 

 ress will be made in conservation, not only in so far as our timber and 

 forest resurces are concerned, but also in regard to all our natural re- 

 sources. I have very much pleasure in calling upon Hon. Mr. Sifton to 

 address you. 



HON. CLIFFORD SIFTON. 



CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION. 



On arising to address the Convention, Mr. Sifton was received with 

 great applause. He said: 



Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I must confess to some feel- 

 ing of awe and surprise at the audience which I am called upon to address 

 this afternoon. I had expected to speak to fifteen or twenty gentlemen who 

 would be here especially interested in Forestry. But I do not make that 

 remark for the purpose of complaining; on the contrary, if there be any- 

 thing of any value in what I have to say, it will, of course, be more useful 

 and more valuable on account of the fact that I am unexpectedly honoured 

 with so large an audience. 



