1903.] on Bural England. 333 



applied to agricultural products, study the recent story of the move- 

 ment in Denmark, Ireland and elsewhere. 



Last, but by no means least, the principle of the Parcels Post 

 might be extended to a limit say of 100 lbs. weight, so as to make it 

 easy for the small-holder to put his produce daily upon the great 

 markets where it would be dealt with by the co-operative associations 

 aforesaid. 



If these humble remedies, to deal with which adequately would 

 require a separate lecture, were adopted — as they could be, I believe, 

 without the nation losing a penny-piece thereby — they would, I am 

 convinced, result during the next generation in the establishment of 

 thousands and even tens of thousands of happy and industrious workers 

 upon the land who now come to compete with those of the over- 

 crowded cities, and in keeping millions of money at home which at 

 present are paid to foreigners for produce which we could grow as 

 well as they do. And remember — they involve no form of protection ! 



I venture to urge them upon your attention and upon that of the 

 public. The land and its interests receive little care from Govern- 

 ment because those interests are divided and do not speak with any 

 certain political voice. Yet I believe that now, more than ever in our 

 history, are they vital to the welfare and safety of the nation. 



No question of the day is more neglected and thrust aside than 

 that of the flocking of our population from the fields to the cities, 

 and yet none is more important. It means that the character of the 

 race is changing ; it means that their physique is deteriorating ; it 

 means that fewer men of the best class are available for purposes of 

 national defence ; it means the crowding together of vast hordes of 

 people, who, at the first breath of panic or of serious trade depression 

 will cease to be able to earn their livelihood and will have to be sup- 

 ported and controlled. In short, it means a new race of city-bred 

 Englishmen, the victims to various diseases which, it is alleged, kill 

 them out within three generations. We know what country-bred 

 Englishmen have done in the past and the height to which they 

 have lifted their race and nation. Can as much be expected from 

 their descendants if they are to be herded together in the most dismal 

 and airless quarters of our great cities V 



I have treated of a very large subject most inadequately — the time 

 at my disposal would enable me to do no more. Still I trust that I 

 may have said enough to convince you of its importance to our country, 

 and to persuade some of you, according to your opportunities, to help 

 me in my struggle to call attention to these evils, and to secure 

 measures of relief that may tend to palliate if not to obliterate them. 

 I do not wish to complain, but at times I find this somewhat lonesome 

 task too heavy for me, and grow discouraged. It is, therefore, the 

 more needful that those who have greater authority and ability should 

 take it up, for if it is not taken up and carried to a successful issue, I 

 think that our country must sufier in the near future. 



The land should be in more hands than it is at present. It should 



