130 



GROWING GOLD. 



of the immense quantity of foreign timber 

 which is now imported, might be had as a 

 direct revenue to Government, and the con- 

 sumer would be benefited by the superiority 

 of the article over that which they can obtain 

 from any other part of the world. 



Government is already a large grower of 

 timber, and has a host of commissioners, 

 surveyors, inspectors, keepers, &c. therefore 

 it would be only to extend its plans and 

 to make the service of these gentlemen useful 

 to the public. If it is the pleasure of land- 

 owners to buy and grow timber of bad quality, 

 there is nothing to prevent their doing so, but 

 Government is differently situated ; it is bound 

 to do the best for the community; and it 

 appears to be the interest of the nation, that 

 a supply of timber should be grown to render 

 it in this respect independent of the Colonies 

 and the owners of foreign soils. 



One great advantage is, that the sinking 

 fund system does not at the present rate of 



