10 AGRICULTURE AND TARIFF REFORM. 



either there or in the market put in an appear- 

 ance, will, if conversation be indulged in, soon 

 make it plain that although there are many 

 things which may be done either by the State 

 or by private initiative to help farmers to, in 

 colloquial language, keep their heads above 

 water, yet none of these will, unless some scheme 

 such as that which Mr. Chamberlain has pro- 

 pounded be also adopted, make for any substan- 

 tial or permanent improvement in the position 

 of the British farmer. 



And here let us say that although, in our 

 opinion, the British agriculturist may quite 

 legitimately claim at the hands of the State 

 exceptional and favourable treatment in the 

 conduct of his business, we urge the adoption of 

 Mr. Chamberlain's proposals, not merely becau3e 

 they will benefit agriculture, but because, 

 and as a consequence, they will greatly 

 benefit the nation at large. We have always 

 claimed, and we still claim, that whatever 

 benefits agriculture or tends to make it more pros- 

 perous must be of special advantage to the nation 

 from the point of view of public health, social 

 order, and, what ws regard as of minor import- 

 ance, of public or private finance. Such a claim 

 cannot be substantiated on behalf of a town 

 manufacturing industry, for, although such 

 industry may prove more financially prosperous, 

 for the time being, at any rate, to those engaged 

 in it — and even to the nation — it lucks to no 

 small extent — as experience all over the world 



