LAND CAMPAIGN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1576, 21 October 1912, Page 7

LAND CAMPAIGN.

BRITISH LIBERAL M.P. IN PROTEST.

Bj TolceraDh-Fress Aesociallon-CoDyrieht (Eec. October 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 10. Sir Arthur Marlcham, Liberal M.P., for the Mnnsficlcl Division of Nottingham, hns protested against tho land inquisition started on behalf of tho Prinio Minister nml tho Chancellor of tho Exchequer. Hβ declares Hint the inquiry is foreign In the ideas of English' fair play, and adds that many other Liberals shnro his views. FUNDS FROM AUSTRALIA. London, October 18. The United Committee for tho Taxatiou of Land Values hns received iE2oO from Australian supporters. THE LIBERALS' LAND POLICY. OBJECTS OF TUB INQUIRY. Much interest was excited during July by the statement that n new land policy is Icing formulated by tho British Government. Mr. Lloyd-George hinted nt the matter ju a speech, in which ho said: "When shall we think it worth whilo boasting of an Empire with tho happiest, brightest, most cheerful people, freest from poverty, from distress, from misery? Do you know what is in front of you? A bissei- task than democracy has ever yet undertaken in this land. You have got to free the laud—to free tho land that is to this very hour shackled with tho chains of feudalism. AVo havo got to freo the land from that which is a shame and disgrace to this, the richest land under the sun, a contingency which no honest, thrifty man in this land should have to face." Subsequently it was announced that a conimitteo had been set up consisting of Mr. Winfrey, Mr. Ellis Davies, Mr. J. I. Macpherson, Mr. Hemmerde, Baron do Forest, Mr. Scebohm Rowntree, and Mr. E. K. Cross. "Ostensibly," said "The Times," "tlie committee lias boon formed tp obtain and prepare data and facts on which a. new policy for the parly can be based, which shall command general approbation in tho Liberal ranks, and the committee will prepare data. There is reason for saying that the dominating idea jn the appointment of this committee, and in its proposed extension, is to associnte in a common aim influential members of the Liberal party who hold different and, it may bq, conflicting views. In this way jt is thought an agreement may be arrived nt in the party on an effective land and housing policy." Mr. Harold Spender, in tho "Daily News," said that Mr. Arthur Adam is to be chairman of the committee.

"Such an inquiry must be useful," added Mr. Spender, "What will bo the scope of its investigation? Practically tho whole of thnt triple system—landlord, farmer, labourer—by which the land of England is still for the most part worked. Take one point. Agricultural rent is assessed to inconie-trtx at. .£50,(100,000. Is that excessive? Can tho land afford it? tJiuler what terms is if drawn from the land? Generally under a yearly lease, now extending throughout this country. Is that a tolerable system? Sporting, rights—are they spreading, and do they represent an excessive drain on the land? "This inquiry will meet a great want. and servo a great purpose. Wo arc all agreed as to the evil—that tho English land system, the Inst of its linturo loft in Western Europe, is draining the lifeblood of the country. Look at the empty countryside—at the crowded emigrant ships—at tho deserted villages and the congested towns. The facts are writ to large that he who runs may read. But when ire come to remedies there aro many schools of reform, as dogmatic and ns quarrelsome as the religious sects. Those schools want light, arid leadership, Their forces must bo concentrated and combined in one great sweeping movement. Only in that way shall we achieve our great end —the. TP-conquest of England for the people of England."