252 THE MURDER OE AGRICULTURE 

 pass it on unimpaired, to those who come after them. 

 In view of the perils with which that heritage is now 

 threatened, they find themselves at the parting of 

 the ways. 



Let them beware that they do not take the wrong 

 path. If they continue to walk in the old, broad way of 

 apathy, indifference, attid neglect of their own interests, 

 they wiU assuredly find their ever- watchful enemy ready 

 to complete their destruction. If, on the other hand, they 

 will seek the straight and narrow path which leads to re- 

 form and practical legislation, they may yet come into 

 that promised land of national safety and Imperial 

 greatness, which should be the ultimate destiny of all 

 real lovers of their country. 



Surely they are not so foolish, when shown the perils 

 of their present position, as to refuse to make the attempt 

 to work out their own salvation as a Nation. Hitherto, 

 they have apparently preferred to let others " think " 

 for them, they have even, ostrich-like, hidden their heads 

 in the sands that they might not see their ever-active 

 enemy. 



The startling facts and anomalies revealed in the pre- 

 ceding chapters should be no longer ignored. It is abso- 

 lutely necessary to " read, mark, learn and inwardly 

 digest " them in order to properly realise aU that they 

 mean. The land industry has been so greatly neglected 

 that it has become a source of weakness instead of 

 strength to the country; it compels excessive emigra- 

 tion, because there is no employment on the land ; it in- 

 duces poverty, and creates a pestilential mass of paupe- 

 rism ; and it kills that demand for manufactured goods. 



