FINANCE 35 



same way as transport and other labourers have been 

 embodied. In the case of the planting corps, it would 

 be possible to include all refugees who had any ac- 

 quaintance with forestry work, and a percentage of 

 women. To these might be well added a percentage 

 of prisoners, so long as the war continues, who were 

 cognisant with forest occupations. Drafts from this 

 corps would be sent to the various centres as demand 

 was made for them. The nucleus of the corps would 

 be permanent or appointed for a term of years. The 

 bulk of the labourers would be engaged for the planting 

 season only. Each draft should be equipped with 

 tools, and the corps could be divided up into sections 

 enrolled in different parts of the country with a terri- 

 torial headquarters under the charge of an officer of 

 the corps. 



As regards the finance of the scheme, there should be 

 no difficulty. In the Development Commission there 

 exists a Government body, armed with powers to 

 recommend schemes of this nature for Treasury sanc- 

 tion. All that would be necessary, therefore, would 

 be that the Department receiving the grant should 

 appoint an officer to have charge of a national planting 

 scheme, and give him sufficient powers and funds to 

 carry out the work. The existing advisory officers 

 would make recommendations as to areas to be 

 planted, and, if necessary, assist in the negotiations 

 with the proprietor. If found necessary the powers 

 of the Development Commission could be extended 

 by a short Act of ParUament to suit the needs of 

 the case. The advisory officer would determine 

 the species to be used for planting the areas. The 



