98 AWAKENING OF ENGLAND. 



On the other hand, there is the question 

 of placing too high a price on land purchased 

 by ratepayers. When land is purchased 

 voluntarily the continual payment of high 

 prices can only be avoided by altering the 

 personnel of the council, and thus checking the 

 inclination of a council of landowners to keep 

 up the price of land. But when land is 

 purchased compulsorily the appointment of 

 private county surveyors as arbitrators between 

 landlords and the council leads to mischievous 

 results, for self-interest too often induces 

 private land-agents to place a high figure on 

 the value of the land. Wherever compulsory 

 purchase is necessary it is in the interest of 

 the ratepayer and the small holder for the 

 Board of Agriculture to appoint its own 

 salaried surveyor. 



