XIII 



THE AFFORESTATION SCHEMES 



We have now arrived at the main point to which 

 the previous chapters have been leading up— the 

 afforestation scheme itself. 



Given that it is admitted, and it has been so 

 admitted by the Government, that the afiorestation 

 of a portion of the waste lands of the country is 

 now recognized to have become a national necessity, 

 the chief question for consideration is the scale and 

 method by which the business should be carried 

 out. In this connection it is necessary to bear in 

 mind the objects, or the main objects, which the 

 scheme is desired to fulfil. These objects, as has 

 been shown, have an intimate connection with the 

 social and economic conditions of the population in 

 parts of the country and with national industries. 



In the recommendations of the Forestry Sub- 

 Committee, appointed by the Reconstruction Com- 

 mittee, which will be referred to later, the main 

 object kept in view, with reference to the areas 

 recommended for afforestation, was the national 

 safety margin. In other words, that we should plant 

 an area sufficient to provide us with timber and 

 pit wood to cover a three years' war period. This 



i6a 



