statement by the council regarding afforestation. 87 



4. Method of Acquiring Land. 



Where afforestation is undertaken by the State, the land 

 required for the purpose could be obtained either by purchase or 

 lease. There is no reason why both methods should not be 

 employed. 



Purchase would be the simpler and more natural method. It 

 would allow the State an absolutely free hand in dealing with 

 the property, and would avoid all possible disputes and legal 

 complications. The chief objection to it would seem to be the 

 large initial cost. It might also be argued that the money might 

 be better employed in getting on at once with the actual work of 

 afforestation. 



If land were leased by the State for afforestation, the lease 

 should be a perpetual one, or something approaching to 

 perpetuity. The land would then practically become the 

 property of the State at a fixed annual rent, the sporting rights 

 being reserved to the owner, unless the State should prefer to 

 acquire them. 



The State should have the right to put an end to the lease at 

 any time, if the land were to prove unsuited for profitable 

 planting. In that event, the lessor should have the option of 

 having the land restored to him, either with the standing timber, 

 or with the timber removed. 



On the other hand, the lessor should also have the right to put 

 an end to the lease at any time, on paying to the State the 

 market value of the standing timber. 



The question of giving the State compulsory powers for the 

 acquisition of land need not be discussed at present. There will 

 be no difficulty in obtaining, by voluntary agreements, all the 

 land that will be required to start with. It will be soon enough 

 to consider compulsion when voluntary arrangements show signs 

 of failing. By that time the nation will have become committed 

 to the policy of afforestation, and will have seen the work in 

 progress ; and the Government would find no difficulty in 

 carrying public opinion with them in any measures that might 

 be necessary. 



5. Small Holdings. 



Where the State acquires land for afforestation, it is desirable 

 that there should be included in the area, as often as possible, a 

 certain amount of land capable of being adapted to small 



