238 LAND REFORM 



unequal that real freedom of contract cannot exist. 

 There are, no doubt, numerous instances of tenants-at- 

 will of the same family having occupied farms for 

 several generations ; but that does not affect the 

 argument. It is the possibilities of the position that 

 have to be taken into account. 



An understanding with a good landlord who has 

 plenty of money might work ever so well ; but it 

 affords no security against change of ownership, needs 

 of owners, revaluation of estates, and other circum- 

 stances, as many ruined and half-ruined farmers in the 

 past have found to their cost. Of course, during 

 years of continued depression the farmer, to a certain 

 extent, can have his own way ; but we are contem- 

 plating better times for agriculture, and with better 

 times the uncertainties and drawbacks referred to 

 would again become operative. 



The Duke of Bedford makes some pertinent re- 

 marks on this point. He speaks of the owner who 

 "had squandered or stunted his inheritance," and goes 

 on to say: "Great estates may endure from genera- 

 tion to generation, provided always that the owner is 

 capable and the management sound. But with the 

 advent of a fool or a spendthrift comes bankruptcy and 

 sale."^ 



It has been pointed out as an objection to occupy- 

 ing ownership that repairs now done by the landlord 

 would have to be done by the farmer when he became 

 owner of the farm. No doubt a landlord in many 

 cases thinks himself fortunate if, after paying for 

 repairs and other farm outgoings, two-thirds of the 

 nominal rent finds its way into his pocket. But these 



1 " The Story of a Great Agricultural Estate," by the Duke of Bedford. 

 (Murray.) 



