Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-04-10

N report from Nottingham, Consul
l Frank w. Mahin states that the
small holdings act of parliament, which
took effect ON Jan, /, and applies to
England and Wales, is considered of
much Importance and of great pos
sible value to that part of the country,
rich agricultural section. He dis
cusses it's workings as follows:
The act is an attempted solution Of
the land problem, and its object is TO
check the flow of population from
country to city, to reverse the current,
If possible, BY making easy the ac-
quirement and holding of small farms.
A small holding is defined as piece
of land between l acre and so acres In
size: or it may exceed 10 acres If it's
value be less than ESQ (S243.32) by the
income tax assessment. The act also
provides for allotments-tracts of Ave
acres or less.
A small holdings act was passed Is
years ago. but it proved abortive for
lack of effective provisions to execute
II. The new law il free from such
defects, and apparently foresees every
possible contingency. Its chief points
are thus summarized:
lit sets up machinery to find out
the extent of the demand FOR small
holdings and allotments IN England
and Wales, and the extent to which it
is reasonably practicable to satisfy that
demand.
Pit authorizes the taking of land
compulsorily--that Is. against the viii
OF the owner-for small holdings and
allotments, either by purchase or lease.
3-It provides cheap and easy pro-
cess for acquiring such land. eithor In
the case of purchase. at its fair market
value, or In the case OF leasing, at a
fair rent, without any extra payment
TO the owner because he has to sell or
lease.
At provides considerable sums out
OF the taxes 60 be spent In the extern
sion of small holdings.
sit enables voluntary associations
to take part in the provision of both
small holdings and allotments.
SYSTEM OF ALLOTMENT.
The government board Of agriculture
ana fisheries, which has charge OF the
wording of the law must appoint at
least two persons, with certain
knowledge OF agriculture, to be small
holdings commissioners. Money for
necessary expenses rs provided from
the national treasury-el00,0 600 (S4S6
$500 for the remainder of the fiscal year
from Jan. / to March 81, 1908. The
future appropriation Is expected TO be
R2OO.OO0 (kg73. 5000 a year Local au-
NAlblANlfN lliIoA NAA NV NNlihtAif1'lNiiNf -
Any person Wishing II small holding or
an allotment applies TO the commits
sionors or the local authority,
The local authority for small hold
lngs Ia the county council. This body
is similar 10 a board Of supervisors In
an American county. IN the ways pro-
vided by the law, the council can take
as much land as II deems necessary
divide II into small holdings, fence II,
drain IL or supply water, make roads,
and erect or alter buildings. But land
| cand not he taken from AN owner OF
less than 90 ncres. aud u few other eN'
| ceptonh are made TO prevent hardship
| or injustice. Compensation must be
| paid where land Is taken from a lessee
holding an uneNpred lease. In other
respects the law also protects the in-
| terests OF owners ana tenants OF land,
The council win act through COM
mittee, 10 whom everything relating to
! small holdings may be referred with
full power to act. Incorporated towns,
{ parish councils. and urban district
! councils There are many such councils
I'm a county, are TO provide allotments.
and have the same powers regarding
them as county councils have touch-
ing small holdings,
Eighty years' time may be had 20
| pay the purchase price or land, by
| yearly instalments. The law also en-
| ahles those working on land TO rent
| alotmonts or small holdings az a low