132 THE MINORITY REPORT 



ported from abroad, we consider that schemes for the plant- 

 ing of waste and other suitable land should be prepared with 

 a view to their providing employment for ex-Service men at 

 the end of the war. The State might itself undertake schemes, 

 or might make loans to landowners for the purpose, or might 

 advance money to the Corporations of some of our large 

 cities to enable them to plant their water catchment areas. 

 A policy of afforestation might reasonably be adopted on the 

 grounds of national security or as a means of creating per- 

 manent employment. 



" 172. Whatever schemes are drawn up it is desirable that 

 the work should, as far as possible, be of an economic and 

 useful character, and not mere relief works of the ordinary 

 kind. If undertaken under proper conditions, land reclama- 

 tion would afford a considerable volume of employment for 

 unskilled labour in embankment, drainage, levelling, clearing, 

 and road making. It would also, under skilled guidance, 

 add to the acreage capable of cultivation, would provide 

 additional land for settlement, and should ultimately prove 

 a not unprofitable investment for the State. Planting and 

 afforestation would also provide a large amount of employ- 

 ment both immediately and in the future, and this employment 

 would be chiefly available in the winter season, when there is 

 comparatively little demand for agricultural work. It might 

 be of great advantage to some districts if there were more 

 facilities for combining woodcraft with work on the farms. 



" 173. The important thing is to have the schemes ready, 

 and all legal and other obstacles removable at short notice. 

 For this purpose, further powers to acquire and develop land 

 will have to be vested by law in some Government Depart- 

 ment, preferably the Board of Agriculture, as that Department 

 already deals with commons, land improvement, and forestry. 

 The Board of Trade would doubtless be able to facilitate 

 the operations so far as foreshores are concerned. 



" 174. Where ex-Service men are employed by public 

 authorities on reclamation works, care must be taken to make 

 the conditions of their life reasonably attractive. If huts 

 have to be erected they might be provided with small gardens. 

 There should be a temporary building for meeting and social 

 purposes. Some provision should be made for lodging the 

 families of the married men within reasonable distance. A 

 good living wage will have to be paid where piecework is 

 not possible, but, in fixing wages, the men should be classified 

 according to the value of their labour." 



