Land Problems and National Welfare 



Commons. The same postulation applies to the 

 rural labourers : it would in every way be de- 

 sirable to have a few good labourers representing 

 country districts in the House. The number of 

 farmer and labour members would from force 

 of circumstances be limited, but the inclusion 

 of even a few would do more than anything 

 else to consolidate the agricultural interest 

 throughout the country ; it would be the best 

 demonstration of what combination could effect. 



To secure this recognition in parliament, and 

 the extension of the agricultural movement on a 

 large scale, it is essential that all agriculturists 

 should contribute to a special " Parliamentary " 

 fund. 



If landowners do not put themselves at the 

 head of the land reform movement, guiding it 

 wisely and in such a way as to cause the 

 smallest amount of disturbance, and at the same 

 time to secure the maximum benefit to the people 

 in general, they will undoubtedly be swept aside 

 — taxed out of existence — and this form of 

 extinction is clearly in the minds of a large 

 section of politicians. 



In view of the present developments it is 

 necessary for landowners to study the economic 

 relation of land to the welfare of the whole 

 nation, and also in great detail its economic 

 relation to every question of social reform now 

 stirring the minds of men. 



6 



