PEASANT PROPRIETARY IN FRANCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1602, 2 July 1887, Page 2

PEASANT PROPRIETARY IN FRANCE.

Now that the question of Village Settlements, or peasant proprietorship, appears to be hanging in the balance, and that the coming to power of a Ministry opposed to such settlements would nip in the bud what very many think will be the ultimate salvation of the country, it may have weight with some who are still doubtful on this question to hear Mr Gladstone’s opinion. This statesman,.in alluding to the peasant proprietorship in France, a system which it took a bloody revolution to inaugurate, said : ** The taxable income derivable from land " - in France had advanced far more rapidly in that country than iu England. The agricultural income of France had in 13 years increased 40 per cent., whilst in England in 34 years it had only increased .20 per cent. And this, vast increase in the agricultural value of France was not upon the large properties, which, if anything, were inferior as to cultivation to the large properties -of England, but it was upon peasant properties which so many people were ready to decry.’’ It will also be remembered that. it was the peasant proprietary of France? which enabled that country to pay the German war indemnity of 200 millions with a promptness that took the World by surprise.— 1 • Auckland Bell.

A BABY SUICIDE. ,

It; is said that suicides among children are more common in France than anywhere; not probably because they are worse treated, but from the morbid sentimentality.. that isintroduced into their education. Jl very curious example of this has just occurred in Paris. A workman/ and his' wife lost their little girl, aged six, from croup. Her brother, aged eight, on his return from school, seeing the little body lifeless on, the bed, was deeply affected. The next morning he asked to bid her a last farewell; murmured, with a kiss, “Wo shall soon meet again, dear sister,” and instantly went into his room and hanged himself. The, shock of the bereavement no doubt unhinged his mind* but be displayed in the fatal act%as most extraordinary. He tied a towel to the window handle, climbed on a bench, passed the towel round his neck, and kicked the bench from under him. Not a cry or groan escaped him. We doubt if the whole history of suicides has a parallel case to that of this poor little fellow.—Exchange V |