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A discussion then ensued as to who would be the best Chairman for the Development Board or mission。 We talked over various names that seemed to fulfil the qualifications he considered necessary； namely； that this Chairman should be a man of rank and wealth if possible。 As regards this point he said that there was some force in the criticism that the proposed Development Board might possibly bee a tool of party or other subtle form of corruption； and even descend to the perpetration of jobs。
I suggested that the way to avoid this would be to put on it none but men of the highest character who were known to be impartial and open…minded and who were generally respected by the country。 He agreed。
The names suggested for the Chairmanship； so far as I remember； were Lord Desborough； Sir Herbert Maxwell； and Lords Milner and Curzon （these two by myself）。 Lord Curzon； he thought； would bring a great deal of dignity to the office； but too much of the “viceregal manner。” Milner’s name he favoured； but finally seemed to conclude that he was in a sense too strong a man； who with his charming manner would invariably in the end get his own way； which might not always be the right way； and carry the mission with him。 Finally after a pause I suggested Lord Rosebery。
“Rosebery！” he said； sitting down and thinking。 “Rosebery！ the very man！ Politically detached； universally known； beyond suspicion； and a master of the subject。 The very man — that’s a stroke of genius of yours — if he will serve。”
I then said that I thought there ought to be a Vice…Chairman also； to which he seemed to assent。 I mentioned further that being much interested in all these subjects； I should like to serve on that mission if it were ever formed。 He nodded and raised no objection to this； but how much or how little that may mean I do not know。
When I bade him good…bye he was sending a secretary over to the Prime Minister to ask at what time he could see him that morning； in order； I understood； to discuss the whole matter。
The general impression left upon my mind is that Mr。 Lloyd George means to put this business through if he can； but owing to the great forces； secret and open； ranged against him and it； that he is not quite certain of his ability to do so。
On Christmas Day； 1909； I received a letter from Lord Ashby St。 Ledgers； my Chairman； in which he said：
I had a conversation yesterday with Lloyd George； and he intimated that he intended to offer you a post as missioner under the Development Board。
I told him it was slave…driving not to offer you a salary with it； but he said that his limit of 3000 pounds per annum had not enabled him yet to secure a permanent official； and that it would involve an amendment of the Act to provide anything for anyone else。
He spoke of Dick Cavendish for Chairman； and Horace Plunkett and an Irishman for the other two。
Then he goes on to talk of Afforestation in connection with the proposed Board。
I should explain here that although if a salary had e my way I should not have refused it； considering the time and work involved； money was not my object in wishing to serve on this Board。 That； as I subsequently informed Mr。 Lloyd George； I should have been glad to do for nothing as a piece of public duty。
Afterwards； by his direction； an interview took place at the Ritz Hotel between Lord Ashby St。 Ledgers； on behalf of the Government； Lord Richard Cavendish； and myself； at which we discussed the whole policy of the future administration of the Act。
It might now have been thought that this matter was settled； but again there proved to be many a slip； etc。
In order to put an end to the attacks Lloyd George went to Mr。 Walter Long； who was leading the Opposition on the Unionist side； offering to knock off one name — I believe it was that of my friend and colleague； Professor Somerville； though of this I am not sure — but saying “I must have Rider Haggard。” To this Mr。 Long agreed； and the matter was then adjourned to the following night — I think the last of the session。 Again the trouble began； and Sir Frederick Banbury； either throwing over or not knowing of the arrangement with Mr。 Long； threatened to stop the whole thing； once more in a thin House； unless the number of missioners was reduced to eight。 So； as my name was the last on the list； for all the others had been announced； it was struck off to prevent the hanging…up until after the adjournment of the Amendings Act； which I think was being rediscussed upon its return from the House of Lords。
Thus it came about that I； who directly and indirectly had played a considerable part in connection with this beneficent measure； was prevented from having any share in its administration。
The Royal mission on Coast Erosion and Afforestation came to its end at last when we signed a Report that was practically unanimous； save for one or two reservations； of which I drafted all that portion that has to do with Reclamation。 I believe that our remendations； which contain nothing very startling； are to be made the subject of an Act of Parliament at some future date。
I made some good friends upon that mission； notably that charming and able geologist； Professor Jehu （to whom I dedicated my tale “Red Eve”）； who was my constant panion during those five years； and dear old Sir William ffolkes； now gone from among us。
I missed that mission very much； since its sittings took me to London from time to time； and gave me a change of mental occupation and interests。 Indeed I do not remember ever being more consistently depressed than I was during the first part of the following winter。 Here； as I no longer shoot； I had nothing to do； except the daily grind of romance…writing； relieved only by Bench business； my farm affairs； and an afternoon walk through the mud with the two spaniels； Bustle and Jeekie； and a chat after church on Sunday upon the affairs of the nation with my fellow…churchwarden； friend and neighbour； Mr。 Carr； the squire of this place。 Also bronchitis； which had threatened me for some years； troubled me much。 I thought that I had shaken it off； but caught it again during a cold snap； staying at a Cambridge college； whither I went to address a large meetin