394 A CENTRAL AUTHORITY 



* Mr. Willis Bund's proposals to amend the Act 

 of 1892 by giving compulsory powers to County 

 Councils to hire as well as purchase land deserve 

 the consideration of Parliament. It is absurd that 

 the Parish Council should have compulsory power 

 to hire, and the District Council to purchase, land 

 for allotments, and the County Council be left 

 without either of these powers for a purpose less 

 easy of attainment. Compulsory powers, if too 

 costly for frequent use, at least tend to bring about 

 acquisition by agreement.'* 



Recommendation for Action by Central 

 Authority. 



The Committee further suggest the formation of 

 special branches of the Board of Agriculture 'to 

 make definite experiments in the creation of small 

 holdings,' for which Parliament be invited to 

 make an annual grant. The Board of Agriculture 

 is to have compulsory powers for the purchase of 

 land, but not to hire. 



It is certainly a step in advance to recognize the 

 necessity for action of a Central Authority, but it 

 is to be regretted that its powers are not more 



* Sir Francis Charming has himself introduced a Bill for 

 amending the Act of 1892. He confers compulsory powers 

 for acquiring land on County, Urban, and Rural District 

 Authorities ; he further provides that in the event of the 

 County Council refusing to take action appeal may be made 

 to the Board of Agriculture, who themselves, if the Council 

 is still recalcitrant, shall have power to acquire land and 

 adapt it. 



