"THREE ACRES AND A COW."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 98, 22 May 1909, Page 3

"THREE ACRES AND A COW."

Mr. Frederic Impe.v, whose appointment as an Assistant Commissioner under the Small Holdings Act was the subject of much warm congratulation at a recent meeting of the Worcestershire County Council, was the author of the memorable phrase. "Three acres and a coiy," which played s'o important a part in ,the (ieneral Election of 188.1 when Hodge was for the tirst time called upon to record a-vote.

T'he phri.se was coined by Mr. Inipey as nil appropriate headline to a description of a visit to the estate of Lord Tolleinach,. in Cheshire, where a system of small holdings had long been in vogue and it was reproduced as the title of a more ambitious pamphlet subscqiicntlv issued in support of the work of the Allotment*'mid Small Holdings Association, of which Mr. Impcy was honorary secretary.

The phrase having been quoted in a derisive manner Ik the tlion Chancellor of tfci- Exchequer, was jimmptly endorsed by the supporter,, of small holdings, and soon became 11 battle-cry, upon which the rural elections largely turned. "Wliccr nil get t' coo';" was a ipiostion often jceringly asked liy opponents Of the movement, and Mr. lmpey answered liv a quotation from Lord Tollcmache. that he "never knew a easp where in man was granted tlnee. acres of land where there was not very n'pecdilv a cow lo ).o ?een."

••Where's the cow now?"' once asked an orator. i;i disparaging the work of Mr. lmpey* society,

'■l duniio." responded an auditor, "hut we've got a blaatin' calf on the platform/ and the question was not repeated.