SMALL HOLDINGS IN ENGLAND.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13757, 24 June 1913, Page 5

SMALL HOLDINGS IN ENGLAND.

LAND PURCHASE ADVOCATED

SPEECH BY LORD LANSDOWNE

(Received June 23, 8.55 p.m.) London, June 23

Lord Lansdowne, speaking at Matlock, advocated a great increase of tenant farmers, and said the Government should advance tho whole of the purchase money at a low rate of interest.

Lord Lansdowno advocated agricultural reform without bursting up tho existing system. He condemned the fixing of a, minimum wage. Britain produced only a fifth of tho wheat she required, and sho should produce half. Ho advocated co-operativo production by the grouping of farms.

The annual report on tho Small Holdings Act was published last month. Tho report shows that up to December last 164,977 acres mid boon acquired or agreed to be acquired by county councils in England and \Valos, roughly two-thirds by purchase and one-third on lease. Of this land 124,709 • acres had been let to 8.590, and 212 acres had been sold to 20 smallholders. In addition 6,094 acres had been'let to 49 small holdings associations, and 2984 applicants had been provided with over 37,000 acres by private landowners direct. Approximately the Small Holdings Act has provided for 15,176 applicants in five years. In the year under review fresh applications were received by councils from 4076 individuals (69 of whom desired to purchase) and 13 associations, and of these 2278 individuals and eight associations had been provisionally approved as suitable. The additional demand during tho year ,was smaller than in 193.1, but greater 4han in 1909 and 1910. The proportion of applicants to purchase showed no sign of increasing.