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(5) It is believed that an approach along the following lines offers the best possibilities of a real solution : the development of the spirit of tradition in employment emphasis on the continuity and permanence of forest work and its demand for skill ,' a significant improvement in the rates of remuneration ; and living conditions and amenities comparable with urban standards, with particular emphasis on houses for married personnel. If tradition in employment is the basis on which to build a stable staff of skilled craftsmen, the starting-point is where youths with an inclination towards outdoor work leave school and look for a likely opening. It is hoped, therefore, toreserve some hostels on the forests for youth labour with "the objective not only of attracting boys straight from school and giving them an opportunity to develop an enthusiasm for the forest life and forest work, but also of providing technical training in suitable subjects. (6) Negotiations will be opened with youth organizations to determine the best way of initiating such a scheme and developing it. Short-term forest camps during school vacations also might be a means of developing in school-boys and Boy Scouts that appreciation of outdoor life in general and forest life in particular which must form the real basis of a stable forest personnel. Existing, recruiting methods have been welltried and found wanting : radical changes seem to be required if forest operations are ever to be fully and efficiently staffed, and the suggestions put forward here merit a serious trial. Legislation Amendments enacted since the passing of the Forests Act, 1921-22, are now contained in some twelve different statutes. There is an urgent need for consolidation of the forest law in order to reduce its complexity and to rearrange its provisions in a more simplified form for administrative interpretation. A Bill along these lines has been drafted, and while it does not contain any major additional provisions, the opportunity has been taken to remedy defects revealed during past administration and to provide for extended activities of the Service. CHAPTER lII—MANAGEMENT DIVISION Inspector in Charge : Mr. F. W. Foster Eorest Resources (1) Land. —Two categories of State forest are recognized : provisional State forest,, which may be withdrawn from reservation by Proclamation for settlement or other specific purposes : and permanent State forest, representing land which cannot be alienated save with the consent of both Houses of Parliament. Figures for the past year are as follows : Acres. Area placed under reservation .. .. .. 71,235 Withdrawn from reservation .. .. .. 1,792 Provisional State forest permanently reserved .. .. 33,486 Total area under State forest as at 31st March, 1949 .. 9,355,130 Other areas administered as State forest as at 31st March, 1949 .. .. .. .. .. .. 27,057 The areas withdrawn from reservation consisted of—--1,231 acres for settlement. 232 acres for scenic reserves. 244 acres for water development purposes. 31 acres for roads. Detailed figures for the past year according to conservancies are given in Appendix I, which also shows the year-to-year changes for the country as a whole for the period 1920-48.

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