PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 
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of men. I find that some years ago in Switzerland, where, as 
above stated, the State management yields a large revenue, there 
were employed on the forests 5,851 persons, including 150 trained 
forestry officials and from 1,500 to 2,000 foresters and overseers, 
the area of forest being 1,940,659 acres. 
It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this subject, 
and it is to be hoped that with the assistance of the able officers 
which the Government have at their service some really energetic 
steps may be taken. 
I gather from reports kindly furnished to me from Mr. Gill 
that in South Australia the area inclosed for planting operations 
was, on the 30th June, 1894, 11,425 acres, and that during the 
year following that date an additional area of 320 acres was 
added. This is a good start for a colony where indigenous timber 
of value is scarce, and I sincerely wish success to Mr. Gill's efforts. 
In order to prove what a hold this question has already 
obtained upon the practical commercial mind in America, I quote 
the following from the Century Magazine of September last : — 
" During the present year the advocates of a modern forest 
policy have received the important support of the two leading 
mercantile organisations of New York City. On January 3rd, 
1895, the New York Chamber of Commerce, after special con- 
sideration of the subject, adopted unanimously the following 
resolutions : — 
Whereas, A thorough inquiry into the question of the preservation of our 
forest lands is of permanent importance to -agricultural and other 
interests, thereupon be it 
Resolved, That this Chamber recommend to the United States Senate and 
House of Representatives in Cougress assembled, to pass a Bill which 
authorises the President of the United States to appoint a Commission 
of three experts and make the necessary appropriation for the purpose 
or a thorough study of our public timber lands, so as to determine 
what portions ought to be preserved in the interest of the people, to 
prepare a plan for their management, and report the same within a 
year of their appointment. The Commission to have access to all 
public documents bearing on the subject. 
