278 LAND REFORM 



The first part is the value of the mere soil, the 

 inherent worth of the land, apart from improvements 

 and additions. The rental of this part is to be capi- 

 talized and bought by the State. The methods of 

 payment are by a fixed sum, or by terminable 

 annuities, extending over a number of years, or the 

 duration of a certain number of lives. The State 

 thus becomes permanent owner — the ground landlord 

 — of the whole land of the kino-dom. The second 

 part of the valuation is that represented by improve- 

 ments — building, draining, etc. — made by successive 

 owners and occupiers. This is called tenant-right, and 

 remains the property of the owner. 



If these proposals became law the farmer would 

 become a tenant of the State, paying an annual quit- 

 rent for that part (the raw material) which belongs to 

 the State. He would have to purchase the tenant- 

 right, and so become absolute owner, subject to the 

 quit-rent named. If he is not able to purchase, means 

 are to be provided (not clearly defined) to enable him 

 to do so.^ 



These schemes, besides being of a confiscatory 

 character, are not practical. To advocate them would 

 be, in addition to the injustice involved, to delay a 

 question indefinitely which is now pressing for settle- 

 ment. Our land system, whatever its origin, must be 

 dealt with as it is. Landlords have inherited land, 

 have bought for value, and in the past have spent 

 large sums on their estates. The financial ramifica- 

 tions in connection with the land — settlements, annui- 

 ties, mortgages, through banks, workmen's associa- 



* For details see " Land Natiunalization," by A. R. Russel Wallace, 

 LL.D., F.R.S., etc., President of the Land Nationalization Society. 

 (Triibner & Co.) 



