Land T^roblcms and National Welfare 



ducer was neglected, and the consumer so 

 unduly pampered that at last he was fed at the 

 State's expense ; and how disastrous to the 

 empire ! The idea that low prices of agricul- 

 tural produce contribute largely towards 

 national prosperity is clearly negatived by the 

 following figures. 



Between the years 1865-70 the increase in 

 national wealth was ^39,000,000. Wheat was 

 under 40s. Between 1870-75 the increase was 

 ;^ 1 26,000,000, yet during that period wheat was 

 at 54s. 7d. — as high as it had been for the 

 10 years preceding the repeal of the Corn 

 Laws. 



In modern times nearly all countries have 

 pursued the policy of wisely fostering the 

 producer, as the most important element in 

 the social comity. And the producer of food 

 has been regarded as the most important of all 

 producers, and in consequence has been safe- 

 guarded against unfair competition ; he has 

 been taught how to be a good producer; he 

 has been shown the advantages of co-operation; 

 home products have had the benefit of cheap 

 transport, also in exporting to neutral markets 

 the producer has ever had ready to his hand 

 all the organisation of expert knowledge pro- 

 vided by an intelligent and painstaking Govern- 

 ment. Land — considered one of the nation's 

 chief assets — has always been for the wise 



198 



