CHAPTER XVIII 



THE LAND QUESTION: PEASANT 

 PROPRIETARY ABROAD 



THE facts, figures, and arguments already adduced 

 have, I trust, established my earlier propositions as 

 to the changes in agricultural production, and the need 

 for supplementing those changes by agricultural com- 

 bination. My next proposition, stated in full, would 

 run thus : That the aforesaid subsidiary agricultural 

 or kindred industries offer, on the whole, special oppor- 

 tunities, in suitable circumstances, for the energies of 

 small holders capable of adapting themselves thereto, 

 with fair prospects of success ; and that it is desirable, 

 in the interests of our deserted villages, of our over- 

 crowded towns, of the nation, and of our fellow country- 

 men individually, to increase the number of such holdings 

 with a view to (a) taking advantage of the aforesaid 

 changes and developments ; (b) checking the rural 

 exodus ; (c) placing more people on the land ; and 

 (d) decreasing our dependence on the foreigner for 

 such, at least, of our food - supplies as, even under 

 existing fiscal and economic conditions, we could just 

 as well provide for ourselves. 



In this further proposition I have the materials for 

 several more chapters, if not for another book. But, if 

 I were to adduce all the arguments by which it could 



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