so The Canadian Forestry Journal. 



finding is that much the greater proportion of the urban un- 

 employed are unfit to undertake planting work. However, as 

 the total number who vv'ould receive temporary employment 

 would be onty about 18,000 at the most, the Commissioners 

 consider that a sufficient number of unemployed persons might 

 be found "willing to submit to and able to satisfy ordinary labor 

 tests." In addition, much permanent employment would be 

 afforded. This would gradually increase as the area of afforesta- 

 tion was extended, until ultimately about 90,000 men would find 

 occupation in the national forests. The Commission supports 

 the view of the Departmental Committee of 1902 that per- 

 manent employment would be provided for about ten times the 

 population at present engaged on pastoral land of the kind that 

 is suitable for afforestation. 



Another outlet for labor would eventually be found in 

 industries such as wood pulp manufacture, and the conversion of 

 timber — works which at present are mainly performed abroad. 

 The permanent laborers would be mainly, if not entirely, drawn 

 from rural districts, where, in winter at least, a good deal of 

 unemployment exists. The occupiers of small holdings and 

 crofters would also benefit, as forestry work is carried out 

 precisley at the season of the year when there is little to do on 

 the farm. 



The Commissioners clearly state that they have "in con- 

 templation a scheme of national afforestation on economic lines." 

 They do not advise that forestry be made an instrument of 

 charity for the employment of those out of work in cities. Even 

 representatives of the Labor party, when giving evidence, insisted 

 that forestry should not be treated as a "relief " work, but should 

 be conducted on thoroughly sound business principles. 



Acquiring the Land. 



According to the recommendations embodied in the report, 

 the administration would be entrusted to a special "Board of 

 Commissioners." It would first be necessary for this Board to 

 ascertain t he exact location of the silvicultural areas and to 

 prepare schemes of afforestation for each scheduled district. 

 It is proposed, moreover, to grant the Forest Commissioners 

 powers for the compulsory acqtiisition of land, "on the pre- 

 cedent of the Small Holdings Act, 1907, so far as applicable, 

 subject to the reservation of certain rights to private owners." 

 This conclusion was arrived at owing to the necessity of silvi- 

 culture being carried out on large compact areas, and it did not 

 appear to the Commissioners"probable that all owners of suitable 

 land would be ready voluntarily to sell on reasonable terms." 

 In default of purchase by agreement, they therefore recommend 

 that compulsory powers be obtained by legislative enactment. 



