BENEFITS 411 



poverty, and were continually before the magistrates 

 for poaching and thieving ; a very large number 

 were on the rates, and doles of bread and soup 

 were regularly given by the Squire of the parish 

 in winter. There were threatenings of organized 

 strikes if something was not done. The men 

 themselves were keen to get land, as, living in the 

 country, they all possessed some knowledge of 

 cultivation. 



Since the possession of land by the Parish 

 Council the men appear to be all reformed 

 characters, and those who were formerly on the 

 rates are now contributing to them. The village 

 schoolmistress testifies to the improved condition 

 of the children, who are now well fed and well 

 clothed, and on a higher level of intelligence. 



Besides being of benefit to the actual tenants, 

 this undertaking gives an impulse to other trades. 

 A local maker of small carts and lorries used by 

 the men has already retired with a fortune. As 

 an illustration of the demand for these, on one 

 farm of 50 acres, which originally gave employment 

 to two men, I was told that there are now forty 

 horses and carts in use. 



As regards the land itself, on one farm of 

 35 acres a man had failed to pay any rent for two 

 years, and the land was in a very bad condition. 

 The Council have repaired all the hedges, gates, 

 etc., and have taken the land on a yearly tenancy, 

 with the understanding that they will not be dis- 

 turbed during the present owners' lifetime. It is 

 already in a very different state of cultivation, and 

 is being of untold benefit to twenty tenants. 



