Land rrohlems and National Welfare 



will admit that Mr. Darby's forecast has, to a 

 great extent, come true. 



There are districts in which the majority of 

 landowners take little part in administrative 

 work, and an excessive and undue share is there- 

 fore thrown upon the few, who are thus over- 

 taxed. 



Fewer landowners now represent their shire 

 or district in parliament than was the case in 

 days of yore — largely because, even if they were 

 willing to do so, many could not afford to devote 

 the money or the time exacted by parliamentary 

 life in London. Still, making all due allowance, 

 the apathy of the landowner, at a time when the 

 policy advocated by a large number of politicians 

 constitutes a direct menace to his existence, is, 

 to my mind, a remarkable feature of the present 

 condition of the country. 



It seems well nigh impossible to induce land- 

 owners to take concerted action to advance the 

 cause of agriculture. 



The Central Land Association was formed in 

 the hope of bringing all landowners together 

 in a common cause ; it has been doing good 

 work, and many leading landowners have joined 

 it, but it could be wished that a greater number 

 would actively identify themselves with the move- 

 ment. It does not seem to be realised that this 

 society stands apart from all other organisations ; 

 and that by diligently supporting a society which 



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