Attitude 

 Assumed 



224 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 

 Result of poverty is nothing but the result of unwise laws, which 



Unwise ^ -' o 



Laws may easily be altered; that pauperism is an economic 

 condition absolutely unnecessary ; that general prosperity 

 is quite within our reach; and that the regeneration of 

 the British people depends solely upon the amendment 

 of fiscal laws and wise helpful State administration. 

 And let us, above all, realise once and for all that : 



" Our doubts are traitors 



And make us lose the good we oft might win 



By fearing to attempt." 



A further interesting point in the consideration of this 

 vital question is the general attitude we assume in deal- 

 ing with it, which may be described as an attitude of 

 condonation, excuse, exoneration and puerile weakness, 

 amounting almost to criminal negligence. 



It is not surprising that there should be this general 

 inaneness because it has been the fashion to believe for 

 the last half-century, or thereabouts, that the agricul- 

 tural industry of Great Britain was in a hopelessly im- 

 possible condition, and that it was mere waste of time 

 and sheer nonsense to try to do anything for it. 



In a few words this exactly describes the feelings of 

 the British people towards Britain's great land industry; 

 and when practically a whole nation holds such perni- 

 cious views, it is no wonder that failure is excused, 

 blundering forgiven, and maladministration condoned. 



The Small Holdings Act of 1892 is a case in point. This 

 Act was especially designed to afford relief to the people 

 by encouraging the development of Small Holdings in 

 Great Britain. The operation of the Act was made over 



