IMMEDIATE LEGISLATION . 79 



this conclusion they give two reasons : (1) that agri- 

 culture changes slowly ; and (2) that the necessary 

 legislation " would probably be regarded as of a con- 

 troversial character, and might therefore not be 

 possible during the war." 



10. We recognise that there are very great practical 

 difficulties, but we do not consider them insuperable. 

 It is the duty of the Nation to provide for its sailors and 

 soldiers. It is to its interest that the rural population 

 and our home output of food should be increased. We 

 believe that the end of this war will afford an absolutely 

 unique opportunity of achieving these great ends. 

 We recognise that agriculture changes slowly if left to 

 itself ; we recognise that if employment is to be created 

 for a greatly increased number of men big changes will 

 be needed. We recognise too that if we are to be in 

 time to catch the men on demobilisation before they 

 have dispersed into other occupations or emigrated, 

 the necessary changes must be well on the way to 

 accomplishment when demobilisation begins. But, 

 serious as are the difficulties, the importance to the 

 Nation of this opportunity is so great that we think a 

 way of overcoming them must be found. 



1 1. If the paragraphs quoted above from our original 

 Introduction are true, as we are convinced they are, 

 and if the Government realises what a tremendous 

 opportunity the end of the war will present of achieving 

 the twin object of an increase in our rural population 

 and in our home-grown food supply, and how essential 

 these two things are to national welfare, then the thing 

 can be done because it must be done ; and if it is to be 

 done at all it must be done in time. 



