DANISH LAND REFORM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13103, 17 June 1913, Page 9

DANISH LAND REFORM.

LONDON, May 12. Some years ago the Danish Rigsdag appointed a "Feudal Commission" to consider the land. question and to define the relation of the State to the possessions of the Danish landed proprietors. The commission has now com. pleted its work, and published its conclusions and proposals with regard to the remodelling of the present condition of affairs.

The commission was formed of members drawn from all the political parties, and each party has given expression to its views very much m accordance with it 3 known political sentiments.

The Conservatives are not m favor of any change m the present system. The Socialists, on the other hand, hold that the State should m future be recognised as "heir" to the estates, which would thus gradually pass one by one into the hands of the people. The Moderates, who form, one of the two parties of the left, desire the ground to be set free, the principal to be shared between the members of the families who would normally succeed to the estates

Finally the Radical party proposes that the land should be set free ami pass into the hands of the people by a gradual process, partly direct oy expropriation and partly indirect by ground rent. . The principal, on the other hand, would be left alone.

Whatever form Parliamentary action may finally take, there can be no doubt that very radical changes will occur, and the landed, classes will find their privileges very severely encroached upon. '. •