76 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 

 method for securing the broad masses of the working 

 classes — those belonging to the lower grades — to contri- 

 bute." 



Here is the crux of the position. The German Govern- 

 ment knew, when they framed their Bill years ago, 

 that the only way to secure the contribution of a certain 

 section of the working classes was to make the Act 

 compulsory. That they were justified in taking this step 

 the following extract from Mr Bashford's Appendix will 

 show: 



" Since the introduction of the system of compulsory 

 insurance for the German workmen the German Empire 

 has advanced on the road to progress and wealth by 

 leaps and bounds. The material and hygienic conditions 

 of the whole nation have improved ; and everything goes 

 to show that the working classes must, in a great 

 measure, attribute their increased health and vigour to 

 the beneficent effects of the legislation initiated twenty- 

 six years ago." 



" The question that may well be asked here is: What 

 will our Government do? Will they go into this matter 

 as thoroughly as it deserves when they bring up their 

 " Old Age Pensions " scheme, or will they introduce 

 some milk-and-water measure which will do harm rather 

 than good? 



Will they insult the working classes by clothing their 

 Bill in the garb of charity, or will it be of the same 

 invigorating, virile and co-operative nature as that of 

 its GeiTnan prototype? 



" This insurance scheme affects workpeople 



I 



