102 THE GREAT WAR 



be met by putting the workers under canvas, 

 etc. 1 



There is not time to prepare much land for 

 the coming autumn or spring sowings, but with 

 an effort it might be fully prepared for the 

 autumn and spring sowings of 1916-17, when 

 the pinch will be mostly felt. 



No doubt a certain class of political economists 

 will gape at the great expense involved in the 

 proposed operations ; but political economy 

 must learn to square itself with pressing human 

 needs. In the words of Sir Horace Plunkett, 

 " What is now wanted is a courageous policy 

 which faces expenditure boldly in order to secure 

 a maximum of produce." 



In some quarters emigration has been sug- 

 gested for the disposal of our returned soldiers. 

 It is difficult to say what politicians will not do 

 to avoid responsibility ; but it would be regarded 

 by the public generally as a national disgrace if 



1 The Government have already made a precedent in 

 this direction by establishing "National Munition Factories" 

 in different parts of the country. They belong to the 

 Government, and are controlled by them. Up to August 

 18th of this year 535 establishments had been declared 

 ' \Controlled Establishments " under the " Munitions of 

 War " Act 1915. 



