WHAT MIGHT BE AND WHAT IS 251 



much larger cash return per acre. Also the burden 

 of the tithe, now so crushing on some of the 

 cornlands, would have disappeared without any in- 

 justice to the present holders, whether clerical or 

 lay. This would be brought about by the application 

 of the principles of the Danish Act of 1903. Under 

 this Act a capital sum is found by the owner of tithe- 

 burdened lands to free these from that charge and 

 provide an annuity for the clergy who were entitled 

 to the tithe, and their successors. 



Tithe may of course be redeemed in England at 

 the present time by those who can afford so to do. 

 The difference in the ideal future would be that such 

 redemption would probably become obligatory by 

 means of loans advanced by the State at a rate of 

 interest that included a sinking-fund which would 

 repay them automatically in a given term of years. 



Credit Unions established on the principles that 

 I have described would flourish everywhere, by the 

 help of which the landowner could provide himself, on 

 the security of his property, with working capital at 

 the smallest possible interest. Also there would be 

 Credit Banks for the benefit of small-holders and 

 workers of allotments, all of which institutions would 

 receive a certain amount of assistance from the State 

 and be subject to its inspection and audit. 



In one respect, however, the laws of our imagined 

 community would differ from those in force in Den- 

 mark. There, owing to the narrowness of the country, 

 a man may not add property to property. Here, as 

 the land is wider, provided that he farmed it, or per- 

 haps a stipulated proportion of it, he would be allowed 

 to hold as much property as he chose. The object 

 of the State would be to give every opening to the 



