2 ;o MY LIFE 



at a maximum, the latter phenomenon being that which is chiefly 

 dwelt on by economists. Illustrative cases of these low wages were 

 given, and they were shown to be intimately connected with the 

 existence and continued growth of our great cities. 



The diminution of the population of the purely agricultural districts 

 was next dwelt upon, and it was traced back to the circumstance that 

 the natural growth and extension of village communities is checked 

 by the direct action of landlords. Evidence of this fact was adduced 

 from the writings of Sir George Grey, Mr. Francis Heath, John 

 Bright, Mr. Thomas Hardy, and the Rev. Stopford Brooke, and 

 its deplorable results were shown to be a great diminution of food 

 produced in the country, overcrowding, and intense competition, with 

 incalculable vice and misery in towns. 



The beneficial results of allowing labourers to have land were next 

 detailed. Evidence was adduced showing the great amount of produce 

 which is obtained by labourers from allotments, although these are, 

 comparatively, disadvantageous both to the labourers themselves and to 

 society; and they are altogether condemned by John Stewart Mill as 

 being bad in principle. But in every case in which labourers have 

 been allowed a few acres of land at a fair rent, and attached to their 

 cottages, the effects have been most beneficial. Not only have they 

 obtained a large increase to their means by utilizing labour before 

 wasted, but they and their families have acquired habits of temperance, 

 industry, and thrift, so that pauperism and drunkenness have been 

 greatly diminished, and the population has been elevated, both socially 

 and morally. 



In order to extend these beneficial results to the whole community, 

 the labourer asks for neither charity nor loans, but fair opportunity 

 and equal justice. It was urged that the necessary capital will be 

 saved by the more industrious and thrifty labourers when they have 

 before them the certainty of procuring that dream of their lives, " a 

 homestead of their very own;" while nothing would so certainly lead 

 to failure as any extensive system of loans to enable those who have 

 not these essential virtues to obtain the needful land, stock, and houses 

 without them. 



The scheme suggested as most beneficial to labourers and to the 

 community at large is as follows : 



(i) In each rural parish four land-assessors to be chosen by the 

 ratepayers, two to be farmers and two labourers. 



(2) Any labourer or mechanic wanting a plot of land shall have it 

 allotted to him by two of the assessors, one named by himself and one 

 by the existing occupier of the land, after the parties have met together 

 on the ground and stated their wishes and objections. 



(3) The rent of the land thus allotted to be fairly valued by the 

 assessors, who will also determine the sum to be paid for improve- 



