LAND CAMPAIGN

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 99, 23 October 1913, Page 7

LAND CAMPAIGN

SPEECH BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE CONTROL OF MONOPOLY 'THE FIRST ESSENTIAL STEP, (By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright (Received October 23, 11 a.m.) LONDON, 22nd October. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Lloyd George) addressed an enthusiastic audience of 3000 persons at Swindon in continuation of his land campaign. Lord Strachie (formerly representative in the House of Commons of the Board of Agriculture) presided. Mr. Lloyd George said the first essential step was to assume complete control of the monopoly in land, and placing it under State direction. The Cabinet unanimously proposed to replace the Board of Agriculturo by a Ministry of Land to deal with users of land in town< and country; also with registrations of title and transfer, besides valuation. The Government had found that large farms had been fairly rented oa tho whole, but that such was not so with respect to small ones. The Government proposed to enable small farmers to complain before tho Commissioners if existing rents were excessive, and empower the Commissioners to reduce them. Moreover, rent that was now reasonable might become unreasonable in the event of a statutory increase in labourers' wages. Finally, a temporary lessening of the rent might bo sought in the event of groat agricultural depression. Land that was not suitable for cultivation would be used for afforestation. Tho Ministry for Land would be instructed to acquire at a reasonable price derelict and neglected tracts, and improve and equip thorn with a view to their utmost cultivation.