ee forests of great value。 Needless to say it was not adopted； it’s fate was the fate of my Land Settlement Report； minus the appointment of a mittee to “knock the bottom out of it。” The fact is that the venture was too sound and quiet to be undertaken by a Government of party men who look for immediate political reward rather than to the welfare of the country forty or fifty years hence； especially when； as was likewise the case in my Land Settlement Report； the immediate finding of large sums of money is involved。
Also the inevitable critics arose。 Gentlemen who thought that they ought to have been on the mission； gentlemen who thought that they ought to have been called as witnesses； gentlemen who honestly disagreed； shouted aloud in the accustomed chorus； and in the end the thing was practically dropped。 Which is a pity； for it would have worked well in the long run and proved of great benefit to the United Kingdom in those ing days when the timber supplies of the world will run short。 Also it would have given a great deal of employment on land which now uses but little labour。 However； I did not feel its failure in the same way as I had felt that of my one…man Report； since now I shared the responsibility with about a score of distinguished persons who had unanimously made our futile remendations to the Crown。 It was one more piece of； to all appearances； wasted work； that was all。 I must say I do not wonder that many officials bee slack and remain well content to do as little as they can； seeing what are the results which overtake those ardent spirits who show themselves guilty of trop de zele。 Cold shoulders and rapped knuckles； these are their portion。
After the funeral of our Afforestation scheme we proceeded to examine more coasts。 I wonder if th