184 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



doubt whether adequate steps were being taken to preserve and 

 develop these resources. His advice was that in dealing with the 

 question of great complexity which would arise in laying down a 

 policy in such matters, it would be necessary to treat them from a 

 comprehensive point of view and with the assistance of the highest 

 technical and professional skill. In this connection he referred to 

 the appointment of the Commission of Conservation as a first step 

 towards the comprehensive treatment of the important question of 

 the development of natural resources, and suggested that the Com- 

 mission should be a thinking, planning, advising and training body, 

 with no executive functions, and should examine and report on every 

 scheme affecting natural resources, whether promoted by the govern- 

 ment or by private parties, before it is sanctioned by Parliament.* 

 The Commission cannot direct its attention to any task of greater 

 importance than that of suggesting plans for the future development 

 of the natural resources, including land in town and country. 



NATURAL DEVELOPMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES 

 The creation of the Development Commission in Great Britain 

 in 1909, to act in co-operation with the British Boards of Agriculture, 

 in promoting the resources of the old country, is evidence of the need, 

 even where land conditions are more fully developed than in Canada, 

 for some special organization to concentrate on problems of develop- 

 ment. The Development Commission was formed and provided 

 with a large grant of money to aid and develop agriculture and rural 

 industries by promoting scientific research, methods and practice of 

 agriculture, co-operation, marketing, forestry, reclamation and 

 drainage; and to improve rural transport, harbours and fisheries. 

 Under Part II of the same Act a Road Board was formed for the 

 purpose of improving the facilities for road traffic. 



The United States Congress discussed a National Colonization 

 Bill in February, 1916, to develop the welfare of wage-earners in the 

 United States, and create new opportunities for permanent and pro- 

 fitable employment. The bill provided for the creation of a Coloniza- 

 tion Board to examine, survey and classify lands. After selection 

 of areas the bill proposed that the board has to make or cause to be 

 made a detailed plan of development and colonization. In the 

 words of the bill : 



"Such plan shall, in each case, provide for the necessary clear- 

 ing of the land, for the construction, maintenance and operation of 



* The Dominions Royal Commission on the Natural Resources, Trade and 

 Legislation, seems to take a different view, and to approve the co-ordination of 

 executive and advisory functions in the administrative departments of the 

 Government. Fifth Interim Report of the Commission, p. 51, par. 186. 



