16 



NECESSITY OF EMPLOYING THE POOR. 



Who would ffom choice lie on straw, drink water instead of 

 beer, eat potatoes without bread or meat, or not provide him- 

 self and family with substantial clothing for the day and cover- 

 ing for the night ? Certainly no one. The stinted meal of 

 potatoes has however displaced that of bread ; nakedness and 

 destitution are the substitutes of decent clothing ; while meat 

 and beer have been too long unknown in the dwellings of the 

 poor. The exceptions are indeed comparatively few. Their 

 employers are placed in proportionate difficulties, and are 

 constrained to practise a severe economy. Consequently the 

 consumption of native produce is immensely hindered, and the 

 best interests of the nation marred. 



The largest tree receives support from the multitude of its 

 fibrous roots, which, if injured, will cause the branches to 

 wither and the trunk to decay ; so, if the multitude of our 

 labouring population cannot find employment, the branches of 

 inward trade must wither, and the nation decay. 



The wants of the poor are real, not imaginary. Thousands 

 are, at the present time, reduced to the greatest and most ag- 

 gravated distress ; some from the total want of work, and others 

 from not being sufficiently paid. The distress is national, and 

 the cry for employment urgent. A deaf ear can no longer be 

 turned to it. The cannon's mouth, it is true, backed by a well 

 organised army, may calm our fears for a time ; but the tide of 

 an unemployed population must eventually overwhelm all. 



Nor can the impending danger be averted except by the 

 certainty of employment. 



Constant work facilitates consumption, which is the main- 

 spring of national prosperity. The Minister who shall obtain 

 this national desideratum will be the best politician and the 

 object of an universal gratitude. 



It can, unquestionably, be found in the varied resources of 

 this great country — a fact that has been repeatedly shown by 

 many able writers ; and it is somewhat difficult to account for 

 the little effect produced. 



The enfranchisement of copj^holds, an act to drain and faci- 

 litate the exchange of lands, and the enclosure of wastes, would 

 be of eminent service. These, and many other measures to 

 improve the country and the condition of the people, have been 



