FREEHOLD COTTAGES AND LAND 165 



he would read them before speaking, as the agricultural 

 labourers and their friends would keenly note every 

 word that might be uttered : 



" i. Nothing will please and attract those labourers so 

 powerfully as a plan for enabling them to obtain, by easy 

 instalments elastically arranged to meet any case a 

 freehold allotment with a freehold cottage on it. 2. Such 

 a prospect will attach to the soil of this country the cream 

 of our labourers the very section of them that would 

 otherwise emigrate. 3. If this end can be obtained, as 

 it certainly can, without robbing other people, every 

 honest man in the country will applaud it. 4. The two 

 existing allotment Bills simply provide for a change 

 of landlords the ' local authority ' for ' the squire.' 

 5. The proposed Bills, too, would never release the local 

 authorities from their responsibilities. Under a system 

 of securing small freeholds |for the labourers, the lands 

 bought would, from time to time, be disposed of, and 

 sometimes the entire question of allotments would be 

 finally settled in particular districts. 6. It is most essential 

 that the labourers should be actually represented on the 

 local body. This arrangement will give life and spirit 

 to the whole movement. 7. The compulsory taking 

 of land would be a fatal mistake, as conciliatory arrange- 

 ments are absolutely necessary for producing really suc- 

 cessful results. 8. The most popular and successful 

 action which any government could take would be to 

 facilitate the acquisition of freeholds when it is desired. 

 9. Such a plan, without robbery, would enormously please 

 the labourers, could be carried out absolutely without 

 the smallest risk, and would secure the enthusiastic support 

 of the entire press of this country." 



This scheme, as outlined, was put forth in Lord Ran- 

 dolph's famous speech as it has been called at 

 Dartford, and the anticipated result actually ensued ; 

 for the entire press of the country of every shade of 

 opinion rang with approval of it. But, unfortunately, 

 Lord Randolph remained only a little time longer in 

 office, and it was never carried out. The same scheme 

 was subsequently put by the writer in a personal inter- 

 view before Lord Carrington as President of the Board 

 of Agriculture ; but a small holdings committee of 

 inquiry had practically reported against a freehold 



