Judge — August 4, 1888 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes British agricultural importers and their ultimatum to farmers. The image depicts ships laden with imported goods (marked "HOPS," "BARLEY," "POTATOES") arriving at a dock, while labels reference "WOOL," "AUSTRALITE," and other products. The caption—"English Importer.—Go to Europe and Farm—or Starve!"—suggests the cartoon criticizes importers who pressure British farmers into unprofitable competition with foreign agricultural products. The ships represent the flood of cheap imports threatening domestic farming. The cartoon appears to advocate for protecting British farmers against overseas competition, depicting this trade policy as forcing farmers into poverty or emigration. The satire targets merchant importers' economic power over agricultural workers.