114 BRITAIN FOR THE BRITON 



If Mr. Balfour, in opposition, sees danger in developing 

 agriculture, what course is Mr. Balfour, as Prime IMinister, 

 likely to take ? If Mr. Balfour, as Leader of the Opposition, 

 denounces "back to the laud" as a harmful measure, Mr. 

 Balfour's Government is hardly likely to take those steps 

 to put the great land industry of the country in that position 

 which it must attain before the people can find relief from 

 the sore troubles that beset them. 



If Mr. Balfour is really sincere in believing what he stated, 

 or was reported to have stated, and has, moreover, the courage 

 of his convictions, then it is as clear as daylight that 

 if that gentleman is returned to power, and provided his Party 

 share his beliefs, a black day will dawn for England. The 

 only hope for the people is through the land, and, if the way 

 be barred — Glod help them.* 



The following appeared in a former work by the writer, 

 and was applicable to the early part of 1907. We reproduce 

 it in proof of the ever-recurring nature of this wretched 

 unemployed question, and in evidence of the fact that in 

 seeking for a solution of the difficulty, the press generally 

 ignores agriculture as a factor in the situation. 



The Woolwich Aksenal Incident 



" In connection with the Woolwich Arsenal, the Daily Exjiress 

 published the following article, which is given in exienso, to show 

 how severely the land is left alone as having no part in the labour 

 question : — 



FREE TRADE 



WHAT IT HAS DONE FOR THE MEN OF WOOLWICH 



A CONTRAST 



NO WORK TO BE HAD IN ENGLAND 

 PROTECTED AMERICA WANTS MEN 

 STRIKING LESSON 



" Remarkable developments have arisen in connection with the 

 unemployment at Woolwich. 



" The Express dispatched yesterday a number of telegrams to 

 private engineers on the Government list, in the hope of linding 

 work for the discharged mechanics and labourers. 



"The firms communicated with were among those in the 

 engineering branches mentioned by the Prime Minister on Monday 

 as enjoying especially good trade. 



* Mr. Balfour's present policy, as declared in his Birmingham speech of 

 22nd September, is in favour of considerable extensions of the peasant-owner- 

 ship prjjjciple^ which is satisfactory so far as it goes. 



