H4 DEPENDENCE OF ARABLE FARMING 



cannot afford to allow the use to which its land is to 

 be put to be merely dictated by the prospects of indi- 

 vidual profit. The most convinced free trader must 

 admit that his principles cannot have free play during 

 the war, because the conditions on which they are based 

 no longer exist, and as the state of economic dislocation 

 persists for long after the war, the argument that any 

 proposals to give direct State assistance to the par- 

 ticular industry of agriculture must be dismissed 

 because such action is contrary to free trade prin- 

 ciples, is beside the question. It is a valid principle that 

 a family should live within its income, but when it is 

 faced with the necessity of rebuilding its house after a 

 fire, it may have to put that principle aside in order to 

 get a roof over its head. 



What are the alternative prospects if we leave things 

 to take their chance ? The future cannot but look dark, 

 the prospects of the course of trade cannot but appear 

 uncertain ; what is sure is general impoverishment and 

 heavy taxation. The wisdom of the ancients will counsel 

 the farmer to sit tight and reduce his commitments. He 

 has before him an excellent opportunity of playing for 

 safety by laying down his land to grass, for thereby he 

 can reduce his capital at risk, and can curtail his ex- 

 penditure without greatly diminishing his profits. 

 While many farmers accept the rise in wages brought 

 about by the war as a permanent change, others antici- 

 pate that the disbandment of the army and the indus- 

 trial depression consequent on the general poverty will 

 result in considerable unemployment, so that wages will 

 come down again to their former level or somethirg less. 

 Then, if prices serve, the cautious farmer can resume his 

 arable farming on the old basis of cheap labour without 



