126 GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND - MISCELLANEOUS 



Conclusion. 



It will be seen that, whereas there is, in many respects, great divergency 

 between the policies proposed, in some important matters there is almost 

 complete unanimity of opinion. This is notably the case in regard to the 

 condition of the agricultural labourer, which all parties are anxious to 

 improve. This unanimity was further evidenced by a discussion which 

 took place in the House of Lords on April 21st., when the Opposition 

 asked for the appointment of an official inquiry into the question, a request 

 which the Government refused to comply with on the ground that the 

 figures presented by the I,and Enquiry Committee were sufficiently reliable. 

 The proposal of the Government to fix a minimun wage finds considerable 

 support amongst Unionists, but sharp conflicts of opinion are likely to arise 

 over the suggested estabhshment of Land Courts. It is not unlikely, too, that 

 the poUcy of giving faciHties to the tenant farmer to purchase his farm 

 will be strongly urged in opposition to the Government's policy of gi\'ing 

 him complete security of tenure without ownership. It seems clear, however, 

 that all parties are bent upon deaHng in a more or less drastic fashion 

 with the Land Question and that whatever may be the turn of political 

 events, we may look for important changes in the Enghsh land system 

 within the next few years. 



