The sun., 1872-04-27
Land Reform in Great Britain.

withstanding the great progress made .
there i'm scientific farming. Lord LEICEs- /
TER, speaking In Norfolk last October, said
that after careful consideration he had
come to the conclusion that the product |
of the soil of the country was not more
than half what IL ought to be. The same |
opinion has more recently been expressed /
by Lord DERBY, who says that calCula- |
tiuns which he had carefully made con- /
yinccd him that the annual loss to the /
country from deficient cultivation was no /
lees than 400, 900, 900, Il sum equal to three /
times the whole taxation of the kingdom.
II is not believed that farmers make great !
profits, notwithstanding that the agricul- |
tural luborers of England receive but the
mcrest pittancc for their work. The de-
plorablc condition OF this class of the popu-
lation as shown by the reports of Parlia-
mcntary commissions, and brought just
now into special notice through the agita-
tion of the subject caused by the Warwick
shire strike, is exciting general attention
in England, and is ascribed primarily to
the lack of capital at the command of
those who cultivate the soil.
The opinion Is expressed in influential
quarters and is constantly gaining ground,
that the greatest drawback to the agricul-
tuial interest of Great Britain con sists in
the cumbersome and antiquatcd system Of
land laws, which operate to keep the greater
portion of arabic lands in the hands of n
comparatively small number of families.
OF twenty-five millions inhabitants of
Prussia, not less than five millions are di-
rectly interested in the soil rs small pro-
prietoIs; while in Great Britain, with an
equal population, there are not more than
four hundred thousand persons who own
the soil they till. The cause OF this state
Of things is not so much the poverty OF the
farmers us the fact that the purchase of
land in Great Britain is attended with such
extraordinary expenses in the way of
transfer, lawyers fees, searches for titles
extending back an indefinite number of
years, and the like, that man of small
means finds II far cheaper to rent his farm
thnn TO buy il, even If he has the money in
his pocket. II follows that persons en-
gaged in the cultivation of ground which
does not belong TO them will not be likely
TO oXpend their money in such manner
rs to insure its permanent enrichment, aud
thus bring it to the highest point of pro-
duotivcuess.
Another serious obstruction TO the high
est development Of agriculture in Great
Britain is found in the laws of entail and
ttrict settlement. These discourage the in-
vestmcut of capital in agricultural opera
tiou-, and increase the complication OF
titl,s and the expense ana delay incident
10 the transfer Of real estate BY these
Laws the greater portion Of the real estate
in Great Britain is held by persons who in
reality are only tenants for life, and who,
therefore, viii not spend money ON their
land rs freely rs If they owned il in fee
simple. Indeed, it is often out of their
power to do SO, FOR If their property is all
in land, and they become embarrassed, they
cannot sell il or borrow money on il at
reasonable terms, but have 10 struggle Oh
through life the nominal owners Of large
estates which they cannot make properly
productive. Tenants cannot be expected
10 supplV the means for tho fnll develop
ment Of the land which they cultivate,
since under existing laws they have no
claim for uneXhausted improvements ex-
cept in Ireland, and il would be foolish in
them TO spend their own means for the
benefit of landlords who may turn them
adrift at the expiration of their leases, with
have added 70 the permanent value of the
property.
A significant indication Of the drift Of
popular opinion in England on this subject
is found in The fact that on the 9th inst, in
the House Of Commons, Mr. w. FOWLER
moved resolution condemning the pres
cnt state of the law of entail and strict set
Element Of land rs II Encouragement TO the
investment of capital in agriculture. AL
though the resolution was uegativcd 10y
vote OF lO3 to 81, it, introduction served to
provoke an animated discussion of four
hours duration, during which Mr.. Fow-
LER's motion received the earnest support
of several prominent members of the
House, who gave free expression 10 their
views in favor of sweeping reforms in the
land laws. II also had the effect OF draw
ing from Mr., GLADSTONE an adIui> sion that
the entire subject of the laws OF entail set
tlement, and limited ownership demands
the carly and serious consideration of Par
lament.
Various circumstance, have combined TO
give this subject special prominence in
Great Britain AT this time; ana there can
he little doubt that the agitation will be
pursued until it results in securing inn
portunt changes in the laws relating to
cutail, settlement and transfer Of land,
and also in regard to the rights OF tenants
o. an ownership in lmcNhIustcd improve
mcuts. 50 far as the law of entail is con-
crrnei, the only argument that cln he
! uu-Lt in lis favor is that il tends to up
hold la power a landed ari,tocraCy, and
that is an argument which in these days