318 THE SMALL HOLDINGS ACT 



2. That the intervention of the Legislature is 

 called for by the special circumstances of the case, 

 and is justified by considerations affecting the well- 

 being of the whole community. 



3. That there has been, until quite recently, a 

 considerable diminution both in small agricultural 

 ownerships and tenancies. 



4. That this diminution has been due 



A. In the case of small tenancies, chiefly to 

 economic causes, and especially to the 

 policy of consolidating farms, which pre- 

 vailed largely until within the last few years, 

 but has now practically ceased. 



B. In the case of small ownerships, partly to 

 economic causes, and especially to the low 

 return for capital afforded by investment in 

 land ; and partly to the indirect effects of 

 legislation, more especially of the laws of 

 settlement and entail, and the law and prac- 

 tice of enclosures. 



5. That no special facilities are afforded by 

 existing legislation for the creation of small 

 holdings. 



6. That it is desirable that any system of small 

 holdings should be graduated upwards from simple 

 allotments or cottage gardens to farms of 50 acres 

 or 50 in annual value. 



7. That in order to meet the case of ordinary 

 labourers, and to provide a ladder by which they 

 may gradually raise themselves to the position of 

 small owners, they recommend that in conjunction 



