8 FORESTRY : WHAT IT MEANS TO THE NATION 



its nature, locality in which grown, etc. ; for such a 

 record will prove most valuable in future planting 

 operations. 



From the foregoing it will become apparent, even to 

 the man in the street, who pretends to no first-hand 

 knowledge of the aims of forestry in a country nor of 

 the timber markets of the world and their idiosyncrasies, 

 that the present position would appear to require im- 

 mediate consideration, and firm yet delicate handling, 

 with the object of arranging for our future needs in 

 timber, etc., and in order to prevent serious and un- 

 necessary competition in the European markets at the 

 end of the war. For, as matters stand, such com- 

 petition would take place almost solely between our- 

 selves and our Allies. The problem requires organising 

 to prevent comers being made by speculators. Steps 

 should be taken to ascertain so far as is possible the 

 amounts of timber which will be required for the 

 rebuilding of the houses within the devastated area ; 

 we should endeavour to ascertain in good time the 

 available amounts of timber for export in Russia, 

 Norway, and Sweden ; and from our own Empire, 

 Canada, Newfoundland, etc., and, finally we should 

 come to a definite understanding with our Allies under 

 which some arrangement with reference to the timber 

 available for export should be made in order to prevent 

 a competition which would send up prices to a ruinous 

 extent. 



Since the United Kingdom has been by far the largest 

 importer in the past, and is consequently the country 

 which will feel competition in the markets the most 

 severely, it would seem to be our business and to 



