16 



accrued, but a swift and dire Nemesis overtook those who 

 offended against experience and reason, unfortunately, in many 

 cases, causing the innocent alike to suffer with the culpable. 

 I should not have thought of making these remarks if it were 

 not that it has been proposed to render Government assistance 

 in draining and firing the lands of flockmasters. I venture 

 the opinion, in all deference, that it would be highly improper 

 to render any such aid. The spread of the disease, for the 

 germs are everywhere, has been caused through the cupidity 

 or ignorance of flockmasters. Is it right that the public 

 should pay because they are now suffering the consequences ? 

 It is no new thing, no sudden and hitherto unknown visitation, 

 but, on the contrary, we know well its cause, and, therefore, 

 the means of its alleviation. As soon would we think to live 

 unsheltered in the fen country and escape ague, as to keep 

 sheep on marshy grounds and expect them to escape the fluke. 

 It would be more in accordance with the dictates of political 

 economy to let matters take their course until flockowners 

 found it to be to their interest to study the sheep, its food, and 

 requirements, with the same attention as they would any other 

 animal from which profit is expected. There are times, 

 perhaps, when for the general benefit, a government may resort 

 to special measures, but in such case, whatever pecuniary 

 outlay may be thought requisite should be met by a special tax 

 on those who have caused the evil, either by their avarice, 

 ignorance, or carelessness, and not on the public, who have 

 obtained no benefits but rather absolute harm, the result of 

 mismanaged property, v/hich, although private, should not be 

 used to the general disadvantage with impunity. 



