CHAPTER XVI. 

 THE FUTURE OF THE VILLAGE. 



SPECULATIONS about future economic conditions in the 

 world at large, changes in the land system, advancement 

 in scientific knowledge, improvements in farm practice, 

 political experiments and all other conceivable developments 

 come back at last to the heart of the matter the prosperity 

 of the village. There lies the original germ of British 

 Agriculture ; there also its ultimate object. 



In a paper read in April, 1919, Sir Douglas Newton 

 introduced the subject of " The Organisation of the Village," 

 basing his remarks on the following summary of the recom- 

 mendations of the Selborne Committee on Agricultural 

 Policy after the war : 



1. That a general survey of the conditions of Agriculture 

 should be made by the War Executive Committees, to form 

 the basis of a report to the Board of Agriculture in all cases where 

 these surveys disclosed the need of action to improve the condi- 

 tions of village life. 



2. That the report should be referred to the Agricultural 

 Committee and to the Parish Council of the village concerned, 

 in order that these bodies might give it their consideration and 

 concur in its recommendations. 



3. That in the event of the concurrence of these bodies, or 

 in the case of an application being received by the Board from 

 either of these local authorities, the Board should appoint a 

 valuer to prepare a report as to the most practical way of improv- 

 ing conditions in the parish in respect of small occupying owner- 

 ships, allotments, small holdings, cottage gardens, parish recrea- 

 tion grounds, and the provision of a village hall. 



4. That the valuer's report should then be communicated by 

 the Board to the local authority, and be open for inspection by 

 all interested persons. 



5. That the Board should then send down an inspector to 



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