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THE NEW PROTECTIONISM

the labourer, as well as the farmer, must get his share of agricultural prosperity.

"I picture the State as commanding the whole question of food-supply, just as it has commanded the sugar-supply in this war, and just as it has partly commanded the meat-supply in this war. My conception is that the State, having after due consideration decided to apply varying proportions of British soil to different agricultural purposes, shall buy up and control the home supply, paying to the producers such a price as will enable them to maintain themselves at a proper standard of life. The minimum wage in agriculture becomes part and parcel of the plan." "Thus controlling the British output of, let us say, grain, meat, and dairy produce, the Government would next proceed to make arrangements with the British Dominions overseas to purchase from them their surplus productions of wheat." "As to other supplies, the food surpluses of Argentina or the United States or Denmark, there is no reason why the British Govern-

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