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"You forest men don’t recognise any obligation to the towns. You seem surprised that you should protect the property of people near your territory."
The Age

Judge Rebukes Forests Officer at Inquiry
1 March 1939

Forest officers did not seem to realise that they had obligations to people in towns adjacent to forests, Judge Stretton, Royal Commissioner investigating bushfires said at Willow Grove, near Noojee, this afternoon.

’That question gets the same response from all you forest men’ [the Judge rebuked Mr Elsey]. You don’t recognise any obligation to the towns. You seem surprised that you should protect the property of people near your territory.’

[S, 1/3/39]

Allegation at Inquiry
1 March 1939

An allegation that farmers burnt forest land by stealth by night to bring on feed because they were so afraid of the Forests Commission was made by George Clifton Purvis, storekeeper and grazier, of Moe.

See his testimony in the selected Royal Commission transcripts

Read more about Judge Stretton’s rebuke of the media in 1939 in the Royal Commission Section

[S, 1/3/39]

 
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