10 



Definite replies were received from 36 estates only and afford the 

 following information : 



The estates furnishing the particulars were well distributed over 

 the country and it is probable that the last column approximately 

 represents the position for the whole of England and Wales. In 

 order to get out the supplies under head (b) during the felling season 

 of six months the normal resources for felling and hauling would 

 have to be doubled, and the men and teams employed would not be 

 available for any other estate work such as usually falls to them. 

 These figures bear out the contention urged beloAv in representing 

 the desirability of a reduction in railway rates, viz., that it is 

 necessary continuously to draw supplies to the maximum haulage and 

 labour capacity during the winter season. The matter, therefore, 

 is not purely an economic question of supply and demand. 



4. If the Rate of Marketing is not satisfactory what are the 

 difficulties which prevent Supplies from coming forward ? 



It was pointed out in opening the enquiry that difficulties would 

 probably be encountered in the following directions : 

 (a.) Labour. 

 (b.) Haulage, 

 (c.) Railway rates. 

 (d.) Inadequate prices offered. 



Specific information was sought on these heads, but the replies 

 on the whole have scarcely been adequate. 



(a.) Labour. In respect of 99 estates (178,770 acres of woods) 

 inspected the returns show : for 51 estates (110,290 acres or 61 per 

 cent.) "labour sufficient" ; for 39 estates (45,880 acres or 26 per 

 cent.) "labour difficulties" ; for 9 estates (22,600 acres or 13 per 

 cent.) " sufficient labour at present," but in most of these last cases 

 difficulties might arise if the present rate of felling were exceeded. 



These returns appear to indicate that at the present time and 

 working on the present scale there is no general shortage of labour 

 for felling operations, but that difficulties might arise if "extra- 

 ordinary " fellings were undertaken. 



(b.) Haulage. In respect of 120 estates (191,800 acres of woods) 

 inspected the returns show : for 73 estates (116,440 acres or 61 per 

 cent.) "haulage sufficient" ; for 32 estates (35,140 acres or 18 per 

 cent.) "haulage insufficient"; for 15 estates (40,220 acres or 

 21 per cent.) " sufficient haulage at present," but possible difficulties 

 in abnormal circumstances as above. 



