286 BRITAIN FOR THE BRITON 



and others lor years, and bo add to the mass of polemics ou the 

 question would be futile. The most sensible way of dealing 

 with the matter is to reduce it to its least common denominator 

 — Results. 



In reviewing the Eight Hon, Jesse Collings' book, " Land 

 Eeform," in June, 1908, one of the London newspapers * said — ■ 



" To judge from wliat he says at page 236, Sir. Collings would 

 get rid of our present territorial aristocracy, and substitute for them 

 a network of small proprietors spread over the whole country. . . . 

 Mr. Collings is mistaken if he thinks be has Lord Bcaconsfield on his 

 side. Lord Beaconsiicld undoubtedly would have hailed with pleasure 

 the enlargement of the yeoman class — whicb, by-the-by, has never 

 disappeared — and a great number of peasant farmers on the land ; 

 but not at the cost contemplated by Mr. Collings. There was nothing 

 Lord Beaconsfield laid so much stress upon as ' our territorial con- 

 stitution,' and to this he attributed the strength and durability of 

 our Empire. Mr. Gladstone's well-known tribute to the value of 

 a resident gentry is a sufficient answer by itself to Mr. Collings' 

 indictment." 



While the writer would disclaim all intention of deriding 

 the judgment of these two eminent statesmen whose memory is 

 justly revered by all classes of the British people, or of carping 

 at the able reviewer of one of our best and most patriotic 

 journals, he would, nevertheless, do what he can to divest this 

 vital f|uestion of every (quality that might gravitate towards bias, 

 or engender sentiment. 



Whether it is generally recognised or not, this country is 

 " at the parting of the ways," and there is, therefore, all the 

 more reason wiiy every inch of the ground should bo closely 

 examined. The "territorial aristocracy" question, like all 

 others that come to the bar of public opinion, must be treated 

 on its merits. It must be regarded as a purely economical 

 question and as one having far-reaching effects on the people. 

 If it be found economically sound — good ; if it be found un- 

 sound, full of sentiment, and detrimental to the commonweal, it 

 should, with other detrimentals, be cast into the melting-pot 

 and refined. ISTo sane man wants to sweep away the " terri- 

 torial aristocracy," crush the " landed gentry," or wrongfully 

 deprive them of their possessions ; but if they have wrongfully 

 used those possessions, or have not used them to the best public 

 advantage, then the question of relieving them of their duties, 

 responsibilities, and obligations becomes (]^uite an equitable, 

 common-sense proceeding. 



If there is anything in our "territorial constitution," or 



* The Staiidard, June 2, 1908. 



