210 THE:FOREST LANDS OF FINLAND. 
destruction of forests. The wood trade was then in a com- 
paratively flourishing condition ; and, according to our habit, 
it was not supposed that various objections might exist 
against the disposal of an article which was increasing in 
value. But some became afraid that the supply of wood 
would be exhausted through an increasing export; and the 
first Committee was appointed mainly to propose means to 
be employed to prevent the over exploitation of the forests. 
The Committee proposed the increase of the State forests 
by the purchase of forests from private persons; the 
encouragement of the growth of forests in private lands 
by loans on easy terms; an export tax on unsawn wood 
to the same amount with the tax on export which is 
laid in one form or another on sawn wood of correspond- 
ing dimensions ; increased duty on timber in small pieces 
in general, &c.; and they recommended the introduction of 
a new forest law in place of the existing regulations of 
1881. . 
‘The result was an increase in the proposed duties 
on unsawn timber; while the question of the proposed 
alteration of the forest laws was submitted to the next 
Committee. This Committee pressed the proposal as to 
the increase of the Crown forests; approved the creation 
of communal forests by purchase, forests owned in com- 
mon, with compulsory powers on the part of a number of 
proprietors to compel others to join them ; and the impos- 
ing of rules upon private proprietors as to the disposal of 
their own forests in regard to Svedjande, and the cutting 
down of timber, through the removal of which their 
neighbours might be damaged. With respect to tbis 
proposal there was desired an expression of opinion from 
different official persons and wardens, and that of the 
Finnish Economical Society ; and the Committee which has 
now concluded its work was commissioned to consider 
those official expressions of opinion which had been 
received, aud to submit proposals concerning the whole 
matter after due deliberation on the same. 
‘The consent of the various legislative orders was 
