DUTIES OF THE STATE IN REGARD TO FORESTRY. 59 



preferable, that the State sliuidd ciuard the interests of the co))i- 

 mnnity. The last occurs when permanent institutions imist he 

 made independent of momentary personal fancies or wishes ; in 

 such cases the State alone affords sufficient guaranty for 

 continuity of action in a given direction. 



From the above remarks it will be seen that there are 

 certain matters of general interest which are better kept 

 mider the care and management of the State, while others 

 may be left to the free activity of the individual. The limits 

 between the two classes are by no means easy to draw, nor 

 can they be fixed once and for ever ; they depend on the 

 degree of civilisation and education and the character of the 

 people, as well as on the industrial condition of the country. 



Applying now what has been said above to the case of 

 forestry, it follows that the State must interfere, sometimes 

 limiting and sometimes furthering, whenever the welfare of 

 the community as a whole demands it ; beyond that it should 

 not go. The nature and extent of the measures which the 

 State should take in this respect depend on — 



(1.) The special requirements of the country, as determined 

 by the general culture of the people and the situation and 

 nature of the country. 



(2.) The nature of the proprietorship of the forests. 



As long as the forests are not of national importance, or are 

 in the hands of proprietors who offer a sufficient guarantee 

 for a suitable management, interference by the State is not 

 called for. On the other hand, it becomes, as a rule, necessary 

 in cases like the following: — 



(1.) Where the interests of the community demand the 

 maintenance and suitable treatment of forests which belong 

 to a large number of small proprietors. 



(2.) Where the existing legal conditions (servitudes, joint 

 property, etc.) produce conflicting interests. 



(8.) Where the existing means of communication are not 

 sufficient to carry the necessary forest produce at a reasonable 

 rate to special localities. 



