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3. It is also of importance in providing confirmation of the basic soundness of New Zealand forest policy, which in no way deviates from the principles accepted and recommended by the Congress. 4. The New Zealand delegates are. of the opinion that the following specific Congress findings are worthy of special notice in their direct bearing on New Zealand forest policy : (a) The importance of good fiscal practice in the interests of good silviculture (para. 63). (b) The general economy of a country is influenced by the proportional distribution of forest and cultivated land (para. 29). (c) Forests play a decisive part in stabilizing water regimes and preventing soil erosion (para. 52). (d) The Congress stressed the role of afforestation in keeping the population on the land, stabilizing employment, and raising living standards (para. 58). (e) Continuous production on an economic basis is essential for the stability and security of forest workers (para. 64). (/) Vocational training is indispensable in order to ensure maximum of productivity (para. 65). (g) A programme of scientific, technical, and economic research on wood should be carried out in all countries by means of close co-operation between the interested parties for the purpose of co-ordinating forest production and wood-using industries (para. 74). (h) The evolution of vegetative associations should constitute the chief stem of research in all countries (para. 18). (i) The problem of the utilization of wood waste remains one of the main preoccupations of forest economy (para. 75). (j) The Congress recognizes the importance of wood preservation in reducing wastage (para. 81). (.k) The Congress recognizes the importance, within limitations, of prefabricated wooden houses (para. 83). 5. A report on the Congress would not be complete without reference to the work and contribution of FAO. Its forestry representatives at the Congress were not free from criticism by delegates, who sensed a degree of detachment from realities in their formal pronouncements and a desire to expand their activities beyond the capacity of such an organization to achieve practical value. 6. The New Zealand delegates are firmly convinced that personal liaisons formed between New Zealand specialists and their overseas counterparts are of great benefit to this Dominion ; periodic association with recognized world authorities, particularly in research fields, is considered to be an essential element of progress. PART lI—A SURVEY OF EUROPEAN FORESTRY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATION (With particular reference to continental institutions) By T. T. C. Birch, M.A. (Oxon.), New Zealand Forest Service INTRODUCTION Between July and September of 1949 the following countries were visited to study theadministration and organization of forestry education and research : Germany, France,, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The opportunity was taken to visit two of the four British Schools of Forestry (Oxford and Edinburgh), but the primary objective was to gain an appreciation of continental forestry institutions, particularly in those countries possessing great forestry resources and long traditions in forestry education research.

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