THE FORESTRY ACT, 1919, AND AFTER. Ill 



Office of Woods, and those under other departments. 

 The duties of the Commission would be to carry out 

 the scheme of afforestation here outlined, and to 

 encourage and improve the management of existing 

 woods ; also the collection and preparation of statistics 

 relating to forestry, the utilization of timber, the develop- 

 ment of forest industries in general, the education of a 

 competent staff, and the development of research on 

 questions connected with forestry. 



SECTION IV.-THE FORESTRY ACT. 1919, AND AFTER. 



On the basis of the Sub-Committee's Keport the Forestry 

 Act of 1919 was passed. Its principal provisions are as 

 follows : — 



Clause 1 provides for the appointment by His Majesty of 

 8 Forestry Commissioners, of whom at least one shall be a 

 person having scientific attainments and a technical know- 

 ledge of forestry. Not more than 3 of the Commissioners 

 shall be paid a salary. One of the unpaid Commissioners 

 shall be a member of the House of Parliament. 

 Clause 2. The Commissioners may, subject to the approval 

 of the Treasury, appoint such officers and servants for the 

 purposes of the Act as they think necessary, and may 

 remove them. 

 Clause 3. The Commissioners shall be charged with the duty 

 of promoting the interests of forestry, the development of 

 afforestation, and the production and supply of timber in 

 the United Kingdom. The Act also transfers to them 

 certain powers exercised by other departments, both as 

 regards forestry and the destruction of insects and other 

 pests injurious to trees and timber. It empowers the 

 Commissioners, subject to the directions of the Treasury : — 

 (a) To purchase or lease land for afforestation, manage, 

 plant and otherwise use it, sell or let any land not 

 required, or exchange such land for other land. 

 (6) To purchase and sell standing timber and promote the 



supply and utilization of timber generally, 

 (c) To assist financially persons and authorities in respect 

 of afforestation or replanting. 



