THE FREEHOLD IN FRANCK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1645, 2 December 1916, Page 2

THE FREEHOLD IN FRANCK.

IX a recent article mi “Wural France," Sir Herbert Matthews lias sonic interesting comments on the freehold in France. Sir Herbert Matthews visited rural France in September as represent a live of an Knglish Committee which is collect iny; money from agriculturists to help the small French farmers in the war area. He went as a member of a deputation in which there wen l a number of colonial representatives. On the subject of the freehold he says; “In discussions on agricultural matters ‘the magic of ownership' is often spoken of; but one does not fully realise the true force of (hat magic until it is brought home by the abnormal conditions obtaining in France to-day. These peasant farmers mostly own the land they till, and they (ding with pathetic attachment to it under most Irving circumstances. With their buildings falling about their ears, in roofless houses, with some or all of their implements destroyed, soldiers swarming all over the place, with their whole world turned upside down, they yet endeavour to continue their ordinary work, to feed their stock (it any are left), or to harvest their crops, though lacking strong arms for such heavy work. Within the range of shell tire they are labouring in the fields, with a blind confidence in the future. What other form of land tenure would produce such continuity of effort, such devotion to work, such disregard of risk? In the Marne district, as in many other parts of France, the Morcelle sys-

tern is llio custom. This means that Iho land is compulsorily dividod among 1 lit* oliildron at don Hi, and Iliis lias, in course of time, produced some inconveniences. For instance, excessive subdivision may so reduce the area owned by an individual that be cannot make a living j'rom it. Or again, it may involve ownership of half-a-dozen narrow strips at some distance apart, yet aggregating only 20 or 30 acres. It is, in fact, a survival in a peculiar form of (he conditions frequently found in England before I lie advantages of enclosure became generally appreciated, and as practiced in France is the cause of a good deal of wasted effort and uneconomical methods. The Legislation might easily remove these anomalies, but it is easy to understand any hesitation on (ho part of the French Department of Agriculture to interfere with a. system which has produced such sturdy stock as the French peasantry.