6 THE RURAL PROBLEM. 



The fear for the future is not essentially that policies as such 

 may be antagonistic, but that there will be an acute clash of con- 

 flicting ideals. Some agriculturists and national economists still 

 regard production as an end in itself, and this view necessarily 

 involves the idea of the employees in agriculture (the most numerous 

 class primarily interested in its organisation) as " hands," rather 

 than as persons. In the past they have been regarded as servants, 

 or as wards ; in the future they may be regarded as " hands." The 

 work of the various fraternal organisations of the towns in the 

 regeneration of country life must be assistance of the villager to 

 assert that he is a person with opinions, principles, ideals, and to 

 show him the way in which he may realise his broader and deeper 

 aims. The end of production is richness, variety, and vigour of 

 life in all its aspects for all persons who give of their best for the 

 social welfare. But as production must precede enjoyment, and 

 the proper organisation of production is fundamental to social 

 welfare, a considerable amount of attention will be given to this 

 subject. 



