ENGLISH SQUIRES

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 24 August 1937, Page 4

ENGLISH SQUIRES

SLOW DISAPPEARANCE COUNTRY HOUSES BEING LOST NATIONAL PENSIONS URGED The gradual disappearance from Britain’s countryside of the larger country house and its occupants was viewed with “very serious and grave concern” by Mr. Hubert G. Alexander, in hi 6 presidential address to the Auctioneers and Estate Agents Institute. “These men and women form the backbone of all social, religious, sporting and other activities in every district," he said. “They represent all that is thoughtful, helpful and necessary to the countryside, and In my judgment are the foundations upon which this nation of ours has been built. This class of the community seems to me to be slowly but surely disappearing, compelled to abandon their homes and their loved surroundings through ever-increasing Imperial and local taxation, and consequent upon their departure follows the departure and unemployment of innumerable indoor and outdoor servants—another distinct and valuable section of the community.”

Mr. J. Francis, of Carmarthen, said that the owners of country houses could not stand the financial strain. “One scheme only can I think of,” he went on, “and this might seem to savour of pauperism. It is a national duty to keep these people in their surroundings to safeguard the glory and pride of Britain, and to this end a pension or assignment should be made to them from national sources to enable them to continue to superintend their heritage. Such proposals as freedom from taxation, rates and death duties might also be considered.”