CHAPTER XII 



SHORTAGE OF WORK IN OUR TRADES AND MANU- 

 FACTURES — INCREASE IN MANUFACTURING WEALTH 

 MEANS LOSS OF AGRICULTURAL WEALTH — IN OTHER 

 WORDS, CLASS LEGISLATION ! 



It would now be interestin;;- to subject tbis Free-trade system 

 to one or two otber reasonable tests just to see bow it comports 

 itself wbeu brougbt into contact witb tbe practical requirements 

 of tbe everyday needs of tbe people. 



Among otber tbings, anti-Free-traders maintain tbat enor- 

 mous loss of agricultural wealtb and a still beavier loss in tbe 

 virile strength of tbe nation, owing to tbe enervating effects of 

 ceaseless emigration, are plain results of Free-trade. 



Tbis is bow it appears to tbose wbo are inclined to look at 

 tbe matter from a non-party point of view. 



Tbat tbere is shortage of work, among otber tbings, and an 

 ever-growing surplus of unemployed is obvious to tbe entire 

 nation. 



Tbat our present means of employment fail to absorb our 

 workers is admitted by all. 



Tbat tbis increasing residue of unemployed naturally adds 

 to the burden of pauperism from which the country suffers, is 

 likewise true. 



Tbat something is fundamentally wrong with our social and 

 economic system there is no room for doubt. 



Failure of Industries to Employ and Support 



THE People 



That as our trades, professions, and industries — manufactur- 

 ing or otherwise — together with all the other forms of occupation 

 to which our workers resort, cannot employ, support, and feed 

 our people, it is evident tbat the defect should be sought for in 

 the only remaining industry, namely, tbe Land. 



That the land is primarily intended for man's use, and for 



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