British Imperial Forestry Conference.

Progress, Volume XVI, Issue 10, 1 June 1921, Page 235

British Imperial Forestry Conference.

The British Empire Forestry Conference held in London last summer constituted (states American Forestry') a notable event for foresters and others interested in forest conservation throughout the world. That such a conference should have been called in a country which has hitherto been notoriously indifferent to its forest resources is in itself a signihcant fact. Added significance is given by the cosmopolitan character of the attendance, which was made up of thirty-hve delegates from all parts of the Empire. These will carry home with them new ideas and new inspiration for the work which lies ahead. Their deliberations and conclusions should also result in a decided stimulus to the forestry movement in other countries as well as in the British Empire.

The resolutions adopted by the conference were remarkably comprehensive and far-sighted. Each of the Governments included in the Empire was urged to lay down a definite forest policy to be administered by a properly constituted and adequate forest service. This policy should aim at securing a sustained yield from all classes of timber, encouraging the most economical utilisation of wood and other forest products, and maintaining and improving climatic conditions in the interests of agriculture and water supply. A high standard is thus set which it will be difficult for any Government or individual administration to ignore.

The Imperial Forestry Conference proved conclusively the advantages to be derived from an interchange of ideas by the responsible forest officers and others interested in forestry throughout the far-flung British Empire.

The next meeting of the British Empire Forestry Conference is to be held in Canada in 1923.