Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-26
{ LAND IS
NOW REALIZING
HER DEPENDENCE
oyd-George's Scheme to Tax
Unused Land, Forcing Pro-
ductlon Of Foodstuffs Re-
ceiveS Favor.

land scheme, Of which forecast has
been given out by the board OF agri-
culture, recalls one Of the bitlcrest
political controversies of the days be-
fore the war. When LLOYD George
then proposed TO tax the unused land,
such as game preserves and ornn-
mental parks, the same as the TILED.
to revalue the great holdings and tax
the unearned increment, he aroused
not only the opposition but the bitter
hatred Of the landed classes. His
measure did in fact strike Mt the basis
cf the aristocratic system, which un-
der the old regime had got off COM
paratvely light as regards taxes.
Lloyd Georges measure was formed
with view to making the holding
of unused land the pleasure or specu-
lation so expensive that subdivision
and sale would result and the num-
Der of small landowners he vastly in
creased in proportion MS the great
estates dwindled But now even n
stronger measure is proposed. II pro-
vides for the acquisition OF land by
state compulsory purchase for cutting
up into small farms Yet now
scarcely a protest is heard.
| such a reform is one Of the BY
products of the war. Il is seen that
England has heretofore produced too
little Of her foods. Also work must
be provided for discharged soldiers
whose ideas and ambitions have ex-
banded, otherwise they will emisrate
to the states or the colonies. so. 10
keep England going after the war;
the landlords must sacrifice part
Of their historic holdings, and they
consent to the sacrifice.
War Slows Dependence.
War has taught the English people
their absolute dependence on foreign
countries for their food supplies. One
of her providers Is little Denmark.
Yet the reason why Denmark, so
small in area, with its own large pop
ulation to support, can ship out so
much food lies in the fact that Dem
mark years ago passed jus such 4
From country of few landlords,
Denmark became a country OF small
independent farmers. Strangers from
Europe as we'll as from America never
go through English country without
being impressed by the relatively
small amount in cultivation. England
seems to be cut UP mostly into fine
cid pasture parks with turf and state
" trees with the rest in green pas
lures. In produced foods, per-
haps mutton leads the list, with beer
next. Denmark sends cured pork and
butter, Holland butter and cheese,
France fruits, early vegetables, and
berries, Spain oranges, South Africa
and Australia fruits out of season and
Canada and America thosein season.
Cold storage meats are brought from
the United States, Australia and the
Argentine. grain from the same coun-
tries and Russia. But the great es-
tates have produced most of the
worlds famous breeds of stock, ana
their parks are source OF pride even
10 the people who feel the economic
injustice that results.
Land Tax Data.
Lloyd Georges data collected for
his own land scheme has been of inn
mense value to the committee franz
ing the new law Purchase by con-
demnation and the sale to small farm
ers has already worked out success
fully in the case of Ireland.
Among the industries the committee
has in mind Is poultry. pig and calf
raising. fruit cultivation. Bookkeeping,
dairy farming and market gardening.
The establishment Of agricultural
credit banks and the development of
cooperative buying and marketing
are in view
AS the state is { become the sole
and permanent landlord, the state
must necessarily provide capital for
the purchase of the land and the cree
ton of buildings. This will be done
through the cooperative banks anc
credit stores Such institutions could
investigate the needs of each man
and weed out unfit settlers.
Possibly the great land owners well
come this scheme In preference to
the heavy taxes that must last for
generations until the present wars
debt Is cleared up. If the young men,
who have been taught love for an
open life III the army, do not remain
at home after the war. taxes and
trade troubles must be still heavier.
II is the experience Of the past that
wars followed by the emigration Of