206 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



Canadian prosperity, if we do not permit physical deterioration of 

 that valuable asset to take place. In so far as careless and disorderly 

 land and building development may cause that deterioration govern- 

 ments are not powerless to avert it. This particular question should 

 not be left to local and private initiative; it is a national problem 

 caused by national needs and requiring comprehensive treatment. 

 The facts pointed out by Col. Carnegie as to the potentialities of the 

 skilled labour to develop new classes of industry after the war will 

 probably not materialize unless we prepare for the development of 

 these industries now; these facts also point to the important part 

 which this skilled labour may take in building up new industrial 

 communities for the purpose of utilizing the unlimited natural resources 

 of the Dominion. 



CONCLUSION 



In conclusion it is contended that the important duty of governments is 

 to apply sound principles to the early stages of development of land resour- 

 ces, with the combined object of lessening the evils of speculation during these 

 stages and giving greater scope for individual enterprise in the later stages; 

 that as the Federal and Provincial governments of Canada have the respon- 

 sibility of directing a vast business enterprise, in the development of the 

 natural resources of the country, they should co-ordinate and improve 

 that part of their administrative machinery which is concerned in the 

 management of these resources so as to secure a more scientific organiza- 

 tion of rural life and rural industry than hitherto; that increased responsi- 

 bility should be placed upon permanent officials to deal with executive 

 details of administration so that members of all classes of government 

 may be able to devote more attention to public policies; that the proposals 

 to strengthen the intelligence departments of the national government 

 and to create new, or secure more co-operation between existing, Federal 

 and Provincial departments is in urgent need of consideration; that 

 government policies should be directed to promote improved methods of 

 land settlement and the utilization of idle or partially cultivated tracts 

 of land near to existing centres of population or means of communi- 

 cation; that departments of municipal affairs should be set up in each 

 province, with skilled advisers, to assist in securing greater efficiency and 

 economy in connection with municipal administration; that more govern- 

 ment stimulus should be given to rural manufacturing and mining; and 

 that a constructive policy should be adopted for the purpose of promoting 

 scientific training and improving industrial housing conditions. 



