CHAPTER X.
GOVERNMENT WITH THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED.
In the preceding chapter I attempted to give to the reader a rough impression of the general purpose and miscellaneous functions of the new Department.

I described in some detail the constitution and powers of the Council of Agriculture--a sort of Business Parliament--which criticises our doings and elects representatives on our Boards; and of the two Boards which, in addition to their advisory functions, possess the power of the purse.

I laid special stress upon the important part these instruments of the popular will were intended to play as a link between the people and the Department.

I gave a similar description and explanation of the Committees of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, appointed by local representative bodies, by means of which the people were brought into touch with the local as distinct from the central work, and made responsible for its success.

The details were necessarily dull; and so also must be those which will now be required in order to indicate the general nature and scope of the work for the accomplishment of which all this machinery was designed.