222 WOMEN AND FORESTRY 



We have in this country this large area of land lying 

 unutilised. This is not thrift. Government Com- 

 mittees and Royal Commissions have sat upon this 

 afforestation question during the last twenty-five years 

 and nothing has come of their sittings. Urgent as the 

 question was before the war, it is doubly urgent now. 

 It will be a national crime if we allow these millions 

 of acres which could grow fine woods and employ a 

 considerable population to lie derelict any longer. 

 What can women do ? 



It is said, I with my Indian experience fully believe 

 it, that India is ruled from behind the purda. In other 

 words, that though Indian women for the most part are 

 not seen in the streets, have in fact no personal contact 

 with the outer world, yet they assuredly rule that 

 world through the men in spite of the purda. 



Well, I believe that true as this is for that great land 

 of mystery, India, it is equally true with the Western 

 nations. We men do not seem to have been able to 

 get Government to do much in this forestry question. 

 We hope to do so now with the powerful help of the 

 Development Commission. But if we enlist the 

 women of the country on our side and if they will 

 really work for this useful cause in the interests of 

 national economy, in the interest of their children 

 and grandchildren, we may feel even more confident 

 of success. 



I now turn to the importance of the afforestation 

 question from the point of view of the labour it will 

 employ. 



Here I hold strong opinions on the value of employing 

 women in a no inconsiderable portion of the work 



