Fortunes for Farmers 



consolation is that we can turn to them for a 

 guide, and we revert to the example of Belgium 

 because Rowntree's invaluable work contains 

 so much data. Agriculture is indebted to him. 



" The Belgian canal system," he says, " is the 

 most complete and efficient in the world. There 

 is a whole network connecting the industrial and 

 agricultural centres with the ports. Nearly all of 

 these belong to the State. Large sums have been 

 spent on their construction and improvement, 

 and the receipts by means of low tolls do little 

 more than pay the cost of upkeep." Their Govern- 

 ment regards waterways as we do our roads, 

 and do not look for a profit. " It is evident," says 

 the British Consul-General, before our Canal 

 Commission, " that to her waterways Belgium 

 greatly owes her present prosperity, and they are 

 of vital importance to her trade." Britain's canals 

 lie neglected. No one attempts to develop them. 

 The shadow of the Railway King lies across our 

 Parliament, and effectually crushes any attempts. 

 We are not so fortunate as Belgium. 



A recent report by the Departmental Com- 

 mittee on British Forestry says that " the world 

 is rapidly approaching a shortage, if not an actual 

 dearth of that timber which constitutes over 

 three-quarters of our imports. The great area 

 of waste land in these islands which might be 



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