OPENING UP THE LAND 137 



food problem and the land problem in much the 

 same way. They have realized that the farmer must 

 be protected from certain kinds of monopoly just 

 to insure that he will be able to market his produce. 

 And the Australian states have freed both agricul- 

 ture and industiy by public ownership of the rail- 

 roads, terminals, slaughter-houses, and marketing 

 agencies, and by so doing have opened up the cir- 

 culatory agencies of the country to the free play 

 of initiative. In addition, the produce export de- 

 partments collect, grade, and provide transporta- 

 tion from the farmer to his ultimate destination, thus 

 insuring the best possible market for his produce. 

 Australia recognizes that the individual faimer, 

 12,000 miles from his market, cannot possibly do 

 his own marketing or insist upon a fair remunera- 

 tion for his produce. Only through co-operative 

 associations or the state can this be secured. And 

 Australia has adopted the state as a market agency 

 just as Denmark has adopted voluntary co-operation. 

 Under these arrangements the farmer is assured 

 of the best market available and full value for his 

 produce. There are no middlemen between him 

 and the consumer, no gamblers, speculators, and 

 private storage agencies that destroy or withhold 

 food in order to force up prices. The arteries of the 

 state are free from obstacles, and the prosperity of 

 these countries attests the wisdom of the policy 

 pursued. 



