OTHER SCHEMES OF LAND REFORM 277 



The user of the land is to be compensated for any 

 improvements made by him. 



His scheme, which is supported by elaborate and 

 attractive arguments, is outlined by the following 

 quotation : " To take rent for the common benefit it is 

 not necessary that the State should actually take pos- 

 session of the land and rent it out from year to year, 

 or from term to term. It can be done in a much more 

 simple and easy manner by concentrating taxation 

 upon the value of land. All it is necessary to do is to 

 abolish all other forms of taxation until the weight of 

 taxation rests on the value of land irrespective of 

 improvements, and takes rent for the public benefit 

 , . . ultimately the selling values of even the most 

 valuable land would entirely disappear and taxation 

 would become rental paid to the State. . . . Under 

 this system no one could afford to hold land he was 

 not using, and land not in use would be thrown open 

 to those who wished to use it, at once relieving the 

 labour market and giving an enormous stimulus to 

 production, while land in use would be paid for accord- 

 ing to its value, irrespective of the improvements the 

 user might make. On these he would not be taxed." 

 The part of the book most calculated to lay hold of 

 the popular mind is that in which the social evils 

 resulting from our present land system are vividly 

 described.^ 



The scheme of the veteran land reformer, Dr. 

 Wallace, greatly modifies that of Henry George. 

 Shortly stated, it is as follows : A complete valuation 

 of all the landed property of the kingdom is to be 

 made. The annual value or rental of each separate 

 holding is to be estimated and divided into two parts. 



" Social Problems," p. 274. Henry George. 



