EMPIRE FORESTRY CONFERENCE

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3536, 26 July 1920, Page 5

EMPIRE FORESTRY CONFERENCE

LONDON, July 22. The Empire Forestry Conference has concluded. It will meet in Canada in 1923. The Couference.ninanimously recommended the creation of an Imperial Forestry bureau to co-or-dinate and disseminate information, members of the bureau to be appointed by the Imperial, Indian and Dominions’ Governments, the cost to be £IO,OOO yearly, apportioned as follows: One-fourth each Britain, India, Dominions and Colonies. Britain was asked to ijjon tribute £SOOO (immediately to cover preliminary expenditure. Mr Lanepoole 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 through the Empire, similar to the South Australian system. Mr Lanepoole opposed, declaring that Westraliau experience was that the recipients sold the free plants. The Government was therefore compelled to charge cost price. Mr Mackay stated that Victoria 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 each Government whether it should be gratuitous or at cost price. Mr Mackay, interviewed, paid an enthusiastic tribute to Sir Ronald Mujiro Ferguson for the success attending his forestry experiments at the Novar es- t tales Rosshire. Hon. Levesen Gower, Chief Commissioner of Forests, similarly tributes! Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson as one of the most patriotic pioneers in the ■‘orostry industry in Britain.