316 FOREST LIFE AND SPORT IN INDIA 
the future from the absence of the direct benefits 
they confer ; for she has preferred to place entire 
dependence upon the forest resources of other 
countries, although she has before her eyes examples 
of how State forestry not only aids in meeting an 
ever-increasing industrial demand, but, while bring- 
ing profit to the Treasury, also provides remunera- 
tive employment to the inhabitants of the country. 
In the case of an European war, the starvation, not 
only of the timber market, but also of all those 
trades that depend on forest material, either in its 
raw or converted form, would probably deal a severe 
blow to very many important industrial concerns in 
England. ; 
The arguments that are adduced against the 
introduction of State forestry in England appear 
to be, chiefly, that it will not pay, and that, if it 
does, a long period must be passed before any 
return is received on the capital expended. The 
first objection is based on the current price of 
timber, which will probably rise in the future much 
more rapidly than it has in the past, and, moreover, 
it takes only cash returns into consideration, leaving 
out others that may become of equal or even greater 
importance ; the second is based on the assumption 
that it is not the duty of a Government to make 
provision for the future welfare of the nation; and 
both appear to have their foundation in errors, 
either commercial or political. 
Meanwhile India has prepared for the future as 
regards the direct benefits the forests afford to its 
population, and is commencing to understand that 
their indirect influences may also affect the indus- 
