STATE OWNED FORESTS 151 



number of owners combined to manage their forest 

 lands, when more or less contiguous, on this prin- 

 ciple. 



State forests are also of value in producing an 

 annual income from a source other than the pockets 

 of the people. They also enable the State in periods 

 of stress to obtain an extra income by making addi- 

 tional fellings. And also, as the war has shown, 

 provide a reserve of material which may become 

 of the highest importance to the nation in time of 

 war. 



The latter point has been illustrated in the 

 strongest manner by France and Great Britain 

 during the past four years. France has had to 

 sacrifice many of her fine forests, but she has still 

 a great reserve left. And the timber she has been 

 using has been of good quality, whilst that of Great 

 Britain has been inferior. Nor has France, in this 

 respect, had to experience during the last four years 

 the trouble and anxiety which have faced our 

 Government in this matter. 



The possession of forests by the State enhances 

 its credit and prevents the accumulation of the land 

 in the hands of comparatively few'of the population. 



And finally, a point which was considered of 

 considerable importance in some continental coun- 

 tries, provided the State owns the minimum area of 

 forests commensurate with the security of the 

 country's supplies in periods of stress, it was held 

 that it would be unnecessary for the State to interfere 

 with the management of the privately owned forests 

 of the country. 



