LOANS AND GRANTS 161 



urgent importance that these areas should be re- 

 planted in all cases save where the land can be put 

 to better purposes. 



There would therefore appear to be a strong case 

 in favour of the State assisting, by loans or grants 

 and with the necessary safeguards, the owners of such 

 areas, in order that this replanting should be pro- 

 ceeded with at the earliest possible moment. From 

 the records of measurements instituted by the Home- 

 Grown Timber Committee, and continued by the 

 Timber Supply Department, we know the capacity 

 of these lands for tree growth. We have ascertained 

 data to go on, which is not the case with the derelict 

 areas. It becomes obvious therefore that their re- 

 afforestation should not be delayed. It has been 

 shown that the owners have patriotically sacrificed 

 their woods to the nation's needs, even in cases 

 where the pecuniary returns received were of no 

 great moment to them. 



If, then, it can be shown that it is to the interest 

 of the public welfare that these areas should be re- 

 afforested as an urgent necessity to the country, 

 and there can be little doubt on this head, it would 

 appear that a case for assistance to the owner exists 

 whenever the owner can show that the war has not 

 left him in a position to undertake the work solely 

 from his own resources. Certain safeguards will be 

 necessary to ensure that the woods so formed are 

 properly managed, but it would be to the interest 

 of the owner to accept such supervision. 



