AFFORESTATION AND EMPLOYMENT. 97 



the material obtained from the thinnings prepared and hauled to 

 the market or railway station, so that the amount of labour will 

 steadily increase. By the fortieth year it may be found advisable 

 to begin, on a small scale, the clear-felhng of the first planted 

 areas. Timber fit for sawing would begin to be cut about 10 to 

 15 years later, and by the eightieth year the forests should be in 

 full yielding. The Sub-Committee estimated that then about 

 one man will be permanently required for every 100 acres (the 

 author thinks that 75 acres is nearer the mark) for all work to be 

 done inside the forest. The conversion of timber wiU give 

 employment to about the same number of men as the forest itself. 

 The running of the total afforested area of 1,870,000 acres would 

 thus employ 18,700 men. Deducting 2,000 sheep farming men 

 displaced by afforestation, the net gain would be 16,700 men, 

 and if the conversion of timber and wood manufactures are added 

 the net gain amounts to about 33,400 men. If 25,000 famihes 

 supply that number, about 125,000 persons would be provided 

 for, living under healthy conditions with continuity of steady 

 employment. 



Whether, and to what extent, afiorestation can be utihsed to 

 meet periods of unemployment, is perhaps difficult to say. 

 Schemes of afforestation to be successful, must be carried out 

 according to a set plan, but it may be possible to expand planting 

 operations for a limited period without seriously upsetting 

 working plans ; the area to be planted could be doubled for 3 or 

 4 years, or roads could be constructed in advance, thus providing 

 extra work for unemployed men. This plan has since been 

 adopted. 



On the other hand, afforestation offers an opportunity for the 

 settlement of demobilised soldiers. The number of men who can 

 be permanently settled under the proposed scheme depends on 

 the rate at which it develops. There would be room for 330 men 

 in the first year, rising by degrees to 3,000 in the tenth year. If 

 required, it would be easy to speed up operations so as to 

 accommodate a larger number at the outset. 



9. Afforestation and the Food Supply. 

 The afforestation of grazing lands would result in a reduction of 

 the food supply, which the Sub-Committee estimates at perhaps 



