254 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 



as self-supporting as other industries. The entire question 

 depends, therefore, upon the proper development of the 

 land industry. 



Regulations should also be made for the reduction of 

 railway rates to enable producers to send their food- 

 stuffs more quickly and cheaply to market. A multitude 

 of municipal markets should be established throughout 

 the country, and where that is scarcely possible, the pro- 

 ducers should co-operate for the purpose of erecting 

 centres for the receipt of their goods, the results of the 

 sales to be placed to their credit. A much greater use 

 could also be made of the facilities offered for the con- 

 struction of light railways to link the country districts 

 together and enable the home producers to compete with 

 foreign importers. 



With the creation of milhons of small holdings em- 

 ployment would thus be provided for every man, woman 

 and child in the Kingdom, and with wise and helpful 

 administration the wealth of the country would be 

 vastly increased. 



One of the greatest obstacles to the progress and re- 

 form is the party spirit in Parliament and municipali- 

 ties, for it engenders strife and contention and seriously 

 hampers the efforts of the representatives of the people. 

 No one wishes to see it altogether abolished, but very 

 serious efforts must be made to remedy its evil effects 

 and to alter existing methods. Whole-hearted support 

 should be given to measures for the public good, quite 

 apart from party considerations, in fact the spirit of 

 patriotism should rank before the spirit of party, and 

 not be sacrificed to it. 



