UTILISATION OF OUR PRESENT HOME TIMBER SUPPLIES. 97 



cut off for some time. Even without such extreme reasons, it is 

 easy to see how freight and other expenses might at all times be 

 saved, and shipping set free for other things by producing more 

 timber at home. Afforestation would improve our climate, and it 

 would afford profitable work for a great many people. 



Probably some of those present could remember that Ireland 

 was threatened with another potato famine in 1883, and there 

 was great distress in consequence. At that time Dr Lyons, M.P., 

 set himself to find employment for a great number of people 

 as a remedy for that distress, and his conclusion was this, that 

 after the maturest consideration which he was capable of giving 

 to the subject, re-afforesting seemed to him that operation which 

 naturally admitted of the most immediate and most extensive 

 application in the circumstances. And one or two large English 

 municipalities when faced with the problem of providing work 

 for a large number of unemployed, have found profitable 

 occupation for them by planting up their "catchment areas." 

 Might we not adopt similar methods with regard to the finding 

 of a suitable occupation for many of our soldiers and sailors 

 after the war, now being so hotly waged, is over ? 



There might be two or three areas chosen, and he thought 

 not at all a bad one would be the valley of the Gala 

 between Fountainhall Junction and Galashiels. The land there 

 was not of high initial value — most of it is too steep for 

 cultivation — it has various aspects — and there are a railway, 

 a road, and a stream running alongside through the valley. 

 The Lauder Light Railway skirts the north-east border of the 

 area. Indeed by connecting Lauder and Earlston, a distance 

 of some six miles or thereabouts, a complete loop-line would be 

 formed, and these railways lead to Leith and Berwick seaports. 

 There is ample room for storage at various points throughout 

 the valley, and some at least of the timber might be converted 

 into finished products at Galashiels or elsewhere. He only 

 mentioned this area because he knew it well from frequently 

 passing through it, but no doubt others as good or better might 

 be found. 



Mr Price went on to say that with regard to what Mr Leven 

 had said as to replanting cleared areas, regarding which there 

 seemed to be a difference of opinion as to whether this duty 

 should be made compulsory or not, it might be well to look to 

 the experience of Ireland as regards that also. Ireland, as we 



