32 THE STATE IN RELATION TO FORESTRY. 



CHAPTER III. -THE STATE IN RELATION TO 

 FORESTRY. 



1. Duties of the State Generally. 



It is the duty of the State to make laws which, on the one 

 hand, aft'ord sufficient latitude to the individual for personal 

 activity and development, and, on the other hand, prevent his 

 interference with the activity of his neighbour. In the majority 

 of cases, the State must also make laws for the purpose of subor- 

 dinating the interests of the single individual to the joint interest 

 of the community as a whole, whenever the two clash. The 

 nature of such laws depends to a considerable extent on the degree 

 of education, the moral sense and the customs of the people. 



The action of the State must frequently also aim at directly 

 furthering the welfare of the people, by removing obstacles which 

 obstruct the action of the individual, or by creating institutions 

 which strengthen his working power. Such cases occur when the 

 power of the individual is not sufficient to attain objects which are 

 essential for general development ; when the advantages to be 

 derived are not sufficient to induce individuals to take up the 

 task ; when the action of the individual endangers the interests 

 of the community ; and generally when it is preferable that the 

 State should guard the interests of the community in cases where 

 permanent institutions must be made independent of personal 

 interests, fancies and wishes. In such cases the State alone 

 affords sufficient guaranties 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 under the care 

 and management of the State, while others may be left to the free 

 action of the individual. The limit between the two classes is by 

 no means easy to draw, nor can it be fixed permanently ; it 

 depends on the degree of civiUsation and the character of the 

 people, the economic condition of the country, and on political 

 events. 



Applying now what has been said to the case of forestry, it 

 follows that the State must interfere, sometimes limiting and 

 sometimes furthering, whenever the welfare of the community 



