100 THE GREAT WAR 



does not expect that the Government will be 

 influenced by his views. He would, however, 

 express his opinion that these measures bonuses, 

 guarantee of minimum prices to farmers, etc. 

 are mere experiments and palliatives, and will 

 fail to meet the needs of the present crisis. 

 These measures would add immensely but in 

 an artificial manner to the prosperity of 

 farming, and it is almost certain that landlords, 

 agents, and trustees will claim a share of the 

 advantages. It is only natural that they should 

 do so. The adoption of the measures named 

 would involve an immense cost to the nation, it 

 would waste time, which is a vital factor in the 

 situation, and it would be ineffective to secure 

 the end in view. 



The Government, however, in this matter, as 

 we have said, must not rely on the farmer but 

 on themselves, and take a robust view of the 

 needs of the nation and treat the question as of 

 the same importance as that of the supply of 

 munitions. 



An effective method would be for them to 

 proceed at once to cultivate some millions 

 of acres of the waste and derelict lands which 

 exist. To this end every form of labour should 



