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CHAPTER IV 



Destruction of the National Industry — ^Alarming 

 Effect on the Labour Market 



THERE is a kind of ceaseless barter going on in this 

 workaday existence of ours, and each one of us 

 should be careful in ascertaining beforehand that we 

 shall get fair value in exchange for that which we give 

 up. But in spite of this we do often neglect these little 

 points on which so much depends, and then we suffer in 

 mind, body or estate. The same precaution should be 

 taken by nations as by individuals. 



When we were offered a change in our laws agricul- 

 tural over half a century ago — a change which was to 

 do such great and wonderful things for us as a people, 

 and among others, convert Great Britain into a land 

 flowing with plenty for all and lots to spare — did we 

 count the cost? Did we sit in judgment on the case and 

 calmly sift the evidence for and against, and then pro- 

 ceed to pass a well-considered decree; or did we too 

 readily believe what we were told by one party to the 

 suit, and then pass a hasty, ill-considered, ex-parte 

 judgment? 



That we took the last-mentioned course is unfortu- 

 nately too well shown by the many evils which have 

 grown out of our actions : evils which are so widespread 

 among the people as to demand our best and immediate 

 consideration and decisive action. 



