LETTING THROUGH LOCAL BODIES 309 



LETTING THROUGH LOCAL AUTHORI- 

 TIES OR ASSOCIATIONS. 



Another point which deters land-agents, if not 

 landowners, from encouraging smaller holdings is 

 the extra trouble and the supposed extra risk of 

 collecting rent from a number of smaller, and 

 presumably less solvent, men than the farmer 

 class. 



As regards the latter point, on the estates just 

 described, as well as in other undertakings not here 

 considered, it is unanimously stated that the little 

 men are found to pay more regularly and punctually 

 than the larger farmers. It is their universal 

 practice to pay on the actual date that their rent 

 falls due, whereas it is well known that the larger 

 farmers expect, almost as a right, a certain term of 

 grace. 



If the landowner feels deterred from undertaking 

 any scheme on account of the extra labour involved, 

 he may still consider whether he could not further 

 the object in view by allowing the Parish Council 

 or a Small Holdings Association to take the land 

 and be responsible for the whole rent to him. 



By charging the subtenants a very slightly in- 

 creased rent, the Council or Association can obtain a 

 sum sufficient to cover the expense of rent-collect- 

 ing, as well as such outgoings as fencing, repairs, 

 etc. 



Examples of how this works out in practice can 



