RELATIONSHIP OF THE STATE TO THE FORESTS. 251 



The total is 150 square miles more than the area given above ; 

 there is no explanation for it available. 



5. Kelationship of the State to the Forests. 



Legislation. — In 1918 an Act to provide for the better manage- 

 ment and protection of forests was passed. Its main provisions 

 are as follows : — 



(1) The control and management of all matters of forest poHcy 



are vested in the Department of Forestry, the permanent 

 head of w^hich is the Conservator of Forests, appointed for 

 7 years and responsible to the Minister of Forests. 



(2) Candidates for appointment to the professional division of 



the Department must possess a degree or diploma of a 

 recognised School of Forestry. 



(3) State forests shall be dedicated by the Governor-in-Council ; 



areas once dedicated can be revoked only by both Houses 

 of Parliament. 



(4) Timber reserves may be established by the Governor-in- 



Council ; they can be revoked, and are then dealt with 

 under the Lands Act. 



(5) Working Plans shall be prepared by the Conservator of 



Forests and approved by Government ; they cannot be 

 altered except on the recommendation of the Conservator. 



(6) The Conservator grants permits and licences to obtain 



forest produce. 



(7) Leases of forests may not be granted for more than 20 years. 



(8) The Act prescribes penalties for forest offences. 



(9) The Act authorises the issue of Regulations for the proper 



protection of the forests generally and especially for 

 efficient fire protection. 



(10) Three-jS.fths of the net revenue of the Department shall be 



paid into a special fund to be used solely for forest work. 



(11) Private plantations of 10 acres and over shall be exempt 



from local Government rates and taxes. 

 Administrative Measures have been taken since the passing of 

 the Act. The preparation of working plans was commenced in 

 1919 in the jarrah and tuart forests. Road construction was 

 commenced. Plantations of softwoods {Pinus insignis) had been 

 commenced some 20 years ago, but the results were not satisfac- 



