44 THE POLICY OF THE PLOUGH 



" What may be economically unsound may be poli- 

 tically expedient." 



The answer to the bogy of " controversial legis- 

 lation " which alarms the authors of the Majority 

 Report is that the necessary measures would not be 

 so much controversial legislation as " emergency '* 

 legislation. The word is wisely chosen by the 

 Minority. We all know that in Parliament this word 

 clears the line for legislation to be rushed through on 

 the understanding that ordinary preconceptions must 

 be set aside when military necessity dictates. Can- 

 not we truly say the same thing for this proposal of 

 a minimum wage in agriculture ? 



The familiar objections to a minimum wage need 

 not be met here. They are discussed ably and can- 

 didly in the Minority Report. The reader is specially 

 referred to that part of the Report. 



The objection raised in particular by farmers that 

 agricultural labourers, having been made the special 

 beneficiaries of the poHticians, would learn the delights 

 of poHtical agitation and would hold up the harvest 

 to enforce their will, is more " sensational " than 

 well-founded. A harvest strike would not be spread 

 all over the country if the recommendation of the 

 Minority Report were accepted that the minimum 

 wage should not be a national wage, but should be 

 fixed by District Wages Boards. The reasons for this 

 recommendation are interesting and should also be 

 read carefully. Experience has shown that the effect 

 of Wages Boards is to prevent strikes. 



Give the labourers — and it is within the power of 

 the nation to give these things — an adequate wage, 



