EMPIRE FORESTRY CONFERENCE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160710, 24 July 1920, Page 2

EMPIRE FORESTRY CONFERENCE

LONDON, July 22. The Empire Forestry Conference has concluded. The Conference unanimously recommended the creation of an Imperial Forestry bureau to collect, co-ordinate, and disseminate information, members of the bureau to be appointed by the Imperial, Indian, and Dominions’ Governments, the cost to b© ,£IO,OOO yearly, apportioned as follows: One-fourth each Britain, India. Dominions and Colonies. Britain was asked to contribute <£sooo immediately to cover preliminary expenditure. Mr Lanepool proposed an Imperial Forestry Association on the model of the Australian Forestry League.— Agreed to. Mr Edward Lucas (Agent-General for South Australia) proposed the gratuitous distribution of forest plants throughout the Empire, similar to the South Australian system. Mr Lanepool opposed, declaring that Westralian experience was that the recipients sold the free plants. The Government was therefore compelled to charge cost price. Mr Mackay said that Yictoria and New South Wales had similar experience. - Mr Hunter favoured gratuitous distribution, although Queensland heretofore had found it unnecessary. The Conference ultimately resolved to recommend distribution, leaving it optional with cadi Government whether it should be gratuitous or at cost price. Mr Mackay, interviewed, paid an enthusiastic tribute to Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson for the success attending his forestry experiments at Novar estates, Ross-shire. Hon. Leveson Gower, Chief Commissioner of Forests, similarly tributed Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson as one of the most patriotic pioneers in the forestry industry in Britain.