210 LAND TENURE 



where the soil and climate are especially adapted to the growth 

 of cereals and the rearing of sheep. 



" Second, small farms are preferable in hilly or rugged dis- 

 tricts where fields are necessarily small and where the soil and 

 climate are especially favourable to permanent grass ; conse- 

 quently where a large proportion of pasture prevails and dairy 

 produce forms a main source of income. 



" Third, market gardens, as well as allotments generally, can 

 only be successfully established where the soil is good enough 

 and the situation closely adjoins the houses of the cultivators, 

 and where good roads afford an easy access for the transport of 

 manure and produce." 



Another resolution objecting to Mr. Collings' Bill was 

 carried unanimously, while a further motion in favour of Mr. 

 Finch-Hatton's Bill, proposed by Mr. Wm. Lipscomb, was 

 negatived by a majority. 



In 1887 six Small Holdings or Allotments Bills were intro- 

 duced. Those introduced by private members were before 

 the Council on 29th March ; but, in view of the promised 

 introduction of a Government measure, the Council declined 

 to pronounce any opinion upon them. The Government Bill 

 was introduced and passed after the last meeting of the 

 Council, so they had no opportunity of criticising it. The 

 Tuseful little Bill introduced by Sir E. Birkbeck (Allotments and 

 Cottage Gardens Compensation for Crops) passed through the 

 House of Commons and was taken up and carried through the 

 House of Lords by Lord Winchilsea, who succeeded to the 

 peerage this year, and who, as Mr. Finch-Hatton, had taken 

 much interest in the question for some time. 



The Government Small Holdings Bill was considered at 

 the March and April meetings of the Council in 1892, when 

 .a resolution welcomed the Bill as an experiment to prevent the 

 evil of the migration of the rural population into the towns. 

 It expressed opposition to any charge being made upon the 

 rates, and as the question was of national concern, the Govern- 

 ment was urged to provide the requisite funds from Imperial 

 sources. The Council further resolved to strongly oppose the 

 introduction of compulsion into the Bill. This measure 

 received the Royal Assent on 27th June. It left the cost of 

 administration on the rates, and the element of compulsion 



