UTILISATION OF OUR PRESENT HOME TIMBER SUPPLIES. 99 



lines of procedure are suggested. Many favour the purchase 

 rather than the leasing of land. Probably on its strict merits 

 purchase is the better course. But we must take things as we 

 find them, and we often have, like a stream, to follow the line 

 of least resistance if we wish to make any progress. Money 

 will be much more difficult to obtain for such objects after the 

 war is over, and we must be thankful for what we can get, 

 and make it go as far as possible. Keeping that in view, he 

 was inclined to favour the leasing of land, rather than its 

 purchase. Purchase requires a greater initial sum. It too would 

 probably have to include other subjects not really necessary 

 for the scheme of afforestation, but which would swallow up 

 much capital, and increase the costs of administration. 



Proprietors might, he thought, be asked to offer their cleared 

 woodlands, or areas suitable for planting, to the Government 

 on long lease, receiving from the Government the annual grazing 

 value of same with perhaps a bonus or percentage on the ultimate 

 profit as a further incentive. On this rent the proprietors would 

 continue to pay rates. The Government would provide labour 

 and plants, and control the management — no further taxation to be 

 charged against the woods than Income Tax when profit accrues. 

 Proprietors might be given an opportunity within a certain 

 number of years to resume possession on repaying all back 

 charges. This would free the Government money for further 

 planting. Otherwise the Government would carry the thing 

 through and realise the fellings, and replant. It should, of 

 course, be optional to the Government to accept or decline any 

 area offered — accepting, to begin with, only areas in suitable 

 localities, and of sufficient size, not necessarily all on one estate, 

 or even in close contiguity — but sufficiently large and compact 

 to be conveniently and economically worked and controlled. 

 Areas where the further manufacture of the forest products 

 could be introduced and profitably carried on without large 

 initial outlay should be preferred. 



The number of such forest areas that could be carried on 

 simultaneously would, of course, be limited by the funds and 

 labour available. The supply of home-grown timber cannot for 

 long years, if ever, overtake the demand. 



