OWNERSHIP RECOMMENDATIONS 325 



thought it less practicable, and only three viz., 

 Mr. Jesse Collings, Lord Wantage, and Mr. Reid 

 were altogether for it. The Committee reported, 

 however, that ' they are of opinion that a system of 

 ownership, however qualified, is preferable to any 

 system of tenancy.' Their reasons for this are given 

 as follows : 



That it would be safer for the ratepayers, owing 

 to the payment of one-quarter of the purchase 

 money. 



That it would be hard for a public authority to 

 avoid the losses incident to a landlord's career ; 

 they would have sternly to exact full rent in bad 

 seasons, and would therefore compare unfavourably 

 with private landowners. 



That it was a stimulus to thrift and industry, 

 and the only safe form of security for improve- 

 ments. 



That it lessened the difficulty as to provision of 

 buildings, which, in the case of ownership, the 

 small man would in course of time be able to 

 provide for himself. 



It was impossible for them, however, to over- 

 look the very strong evidence that had been given 

 on the deposit being a bar to deserving men ; a 

 clause is therefore inserted recommending facilities 

 for hiring up to 10 acres, and another stating the 

 belief that the acceptance of this recommendation 

 would be 'essential to the completeness of any 

 scheme for extending small holdings.' 



