LAND PROBLEMS AND 

 NATIONAL WELFARE 



CHAPTER I 



THE LANDOWNER 



IN any review of the agricultural condition 

 of England it is only fitting to begin with 

 the consideration of the landowner. In 

 the past he took a very active part in the 

 government of his country, and the duty of 

 local administration rested almost entirely with 

 him. And though a gradual change has been 

 taking place, tending to reduce the power and 

 influence of the landowner, he still is, or at 

 least ought to be, a leader of the agricultural 

 industry and the mainspring of all local rural 

 life. Some sixty years ago that remarkable 

 man, Mr. John Darby, wrote these prophetic 

 words : 



" In proportion as the landowner loses the sole control 

 " and direction of local affairs, so will he cease to be an 

 " active member of the community, he will stand aloof and 

 " give himself up to the pursuit of pleasure." 



I think that all who are acquainted with 

 country life and who watch the processes of 

 evolution ever at work in all classes of society 



I c 



