MINIMUM WAGE 139 



former times. But the intelligent introduction 

 of common pastures, the facihty of acquiring 

 an acre or so of land by the organization of 

 village farms, and the extension of local mar- 

 kets, will re-create for rural workers a proprie- 

 tary claim in the products of the land and a 

 central interest in their community, which is 

 so essential to the success of village life. 

 " Profit-sharing " has become an old axiom in 

 the world of commerce, but surely no industry 

 is so well adapted as agriculture for creating a 

 mutual share in the welfare of the trade on 

 which both master and man depend? A 

 minimum wage for the labourer, proposed by 

 diverse shades of political opinion,* admits 

 failure and accomplishes nothing. Individual 

 cases of distress might be temporarily re- 

 lieved, but we are brought no nearer the real 

 solution of the problem. No attempt is made 

 to unite rural interests, to breach the gap 

 between rural employer and rural employed, or 



* The Liberal and Labour parties have for some time 

 advocated the policy of a minimum wage for the agri- 

 cultural labourer. I'he Agricultural Employment Boards 

 Bill has recently been introduced by a private member on 

 the Unionist side of the House and backed by several 

 influential members of that party. 



