SMALL HOLDINGS ACT, 1892 55 



later. This lack of success was partially due 

 to indifference on the part of County Councils, 

 but chiefly to the one-fifth deposit which was 

 demanded from prospective purchasers of a 

 holding before possession could be taken. This 

 made the acquisition of land quite prohibitive 

 to possible applicants, although the balance of 

 the purchase money could be paid in instal- 

 ments over forty years, representing capital 

 and interest. It was, perhaps, as well that 

 the Act was not operated more generally, as 

 absolutely no suggestion was contained for 

 the provision of any organization to assist the 

 small owner it was hoped to create. It must 

 always be borne in mind that any measure 

 which fails to provide the facilities for small- 

 holders to overcome the great difficulties of 

 cheap buying and good selling, expert advice 

 and credit, is quite impracticable for large 

 extension with any hope of general success. 



The Small Holdings and Allotments Act 

 of 1907 followed, which is still in operation, 

 and bases its policy on tenancy under a local 

 authority. A Consolidation Act in 1908 incor- 

 porated the Small Holdings Act of 1892 with 

 this measure. Small Holding Commissioners, 



