APPENDIX III 443 



not yet spoken. A strong Royal Commission has considered 

 the question and practically avoided any conclusions with 

 regard to it. 



In times of wealth and prosperity men are apt to turn 

 their thumbs downwards at the appearance of foreboders 

 of ill, and probably the views here expressed will be re- 

 garded as foolish and pessimistic in a country where, as a 

 rule, opinions do not much avail unless backed by rank and 

 authority. But the question is, can the views be disputed — 

 are the warnings ill-based ? If not — well — a capitol was 

 once saved by a meaner agency. In any case the experience 

 of history — ancient and modern — seems to show that there 

 is a natural law under which no nation can remain perman- 

 ently in the front rank unless its economy is based on agri- 

 culture. If this be so, we know that natural laws go, slowly 

 perhaps but directly to their ends. They cannot be -turned 

 , aside by palliatives, regrets or entreaties. Their action is 

 passionless and inexorable, knowing "neither wrath nor 

 pardon." 



