, 1919-03-06
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At first glance it appears manifestly unfair
that so small an amount of the park lands was
put 10 work. As. u matter of fact the whole
matter was handled with thorough British JUS
tice; wherever park lands were found that should
have been plowed, the land was plowed. More
will be cultivated in peace time, it is generally
believed.
IN order to satisfy a popular demand in some
sections thousands of acres of grass lands were
plowed uneconomically, largely for the purpose
Of conducting the "more-food crusade" in a man
ner that appeared fair to the smaller landholdefs.
There is talk now, and the plan will probably
be carried out, Of bringing the dpcal parks, with
large wooded areas, into a general scheme Of pro
ductive forestry In order to increase the national
Resources. The earl of Selbourne's plan, which
follows, appears popular, however. On many of
the old places venerable trees were sacrificed
during the war to fill the need for lumber.
Special Committed Makes Investigation.
At the direction of the British government a
special committee, headed by the earl of Sell
bourne, bias investigated the whole farming stu
alton in England. and has submitted its report.
1t is interesting to note that the committee
asks for the provision of good cottages for agri-
cultural laborers with ample gardens attached to
them. s ~ t
Hereafter, If the recommendations of the com-
mittee are carried ont, the state will see to 1t that
no land suitable for farming will be used for golf
links.
at must be clearly understood" the report
reads, that henceforth bad farming is a danger
to the state, and that the waste of good land on
game or games is Inconsistent with patriotism.
There will be plenty of room for game or golf,
but too much game, or golf links carved out of fat
land, make an inroad on the production of food
stuffs which can no longer be defended"
Mind you, this admonition is not addressed to
England at war. but TO England at peace, and the
report as a whole is an effort to guide Englands
new-found farming industry through the trying
days of reconstruction.
Minimum Wage Proposed.
For the farm hand there should be a regulated
minimum wage set by duly appointed wage
boards in each administrative county, acting in
conjunction with the local government officials, as
well as acting tremendously with the wage boards
in adjoining counties.
The impartial eye of the committee rests on
the great estate and park evil. where two-thirds of
England's acres rest, virtually uncultivated, and
the recommendation is made, with careful use OF
phraseology In order to completely cover the case,
that these untitled lands be taken over by the
board of agriculture. acting for the government
and q system Of crops planted under the direction
of an expert estate manager.
Three years warning should be given the estate
owner, and then IL Nothing has been done toward
actual farming, the estate goes into government
management for a period of only five years. how.
ever.
Committees, appointed locally, are to judge on
the capability of tenunt farmers, and where such
men are found negligent, or wanting in proper
knowledge of competent cultivation, the tenant
can be evicted.
Back of all this is the knowledge that great
things were accomplished In agriculture during
the war days; that England was a fair farming
country until the middle of the last century, md
that neighboring European countries have sue
ceede6 In establishing farming on n profitable
basis. So the men at the helm feel confident that
with prudent legislation the future of farming
can be assured In England.