174 THE AFFORESTATION SCHEMES 



The point for decision at the moment is whether 

 the country intends to make an endeavour, a quite 

 possible endeavour, to get* itself out of its present 

 state of total dependence on the foreigner for its 

 timber supplies ; to create a new and important 

 national industry, and to put to a national use its 

 waste lands, and in doing this create work and 

 produce decent homes for a section of the population 

 who will prove an increased asset of great value to 

 the nation. 



The decision upon this point is of far greater 

 moment than the question of the cost of the uiider- 

 t£?king. No questions of cost were asked when we 

 had to throw away £37,000,000 on the purchase at 

 exorbitant prices of timber with which to carry on 

 the war. If we fought and won the war in the 

 interests of our children and grandchildren, in their 

 interests likewise we should endeavour to place them 

 in a position of less dependence in this timber matter. 

 For the assumed security, ill-founded as we have 

 discovered, of our forefathers in this matter we have 

 had to pay the price, and shall have to continue to 

 pay for some time to come. But the sooner we 

 make up our minds to undertake an afforestation 

 scheme which in its several aspects shall be adjusted 

 to fulfil to the maximum the objects desired, so 

 much the sooner will subsequent generations reap 

 the benefit of our prudence and foresight. 



