128 THE RURAL PROBLEM 



and the occupiers numbered 117,562 individuals and 21 associa- 

 tions. Of the total, 21,498 acres, 49,545 individuals, and 2 asso- 

 ciations were rural : 9,591 acres, 68.017 individuals, and 19 

 associations were urban. The acreage acquired during 1912 was 

 1,259, providing for 8,532 applicants. The unsatisfied demand is 

 by 11,789 individuals and 4 associations for 4,522 acres. 



In five years — 1907-12 — 4 compulsory purchase orders have 

 been sanctioned and 29 compulsory hiring orders, and in the 

 same five years loans for allotments amounting to £148,683 have 

 been approved. 



The Act of 1907 allowed Allotment Authorities to build cottages 

 on allotments of not less than 1 acre. In early years a large 

 number of cottages were applied for, but to this day not a single 

 one has been erected. In 1912 Urban Authorities had applica- 

 tions for 29 cottages and rural for 27, but not one of these has been 

 built, and the report does not disclose whether the veto comes 

 from the Local Government Board or from the Board of Agricul- 

 ture, or from the authorities themselves. The Board of Agricul- 

 ture takes pride in seeking to ascertain if an applicant for a cottage 

 on an allotment wants the cottage more than he wants the land. 

 If it is satisfied that this is the case, it objects to the project on 

 the plea that it is not a Housing Authority. 



Reforms required in existing law are of small importance. The 

 financial provisions occasionally cause hardships, and the fact that 

 only the labouring population are entitled to claim the assistance 

 of the law is a grievance for citizens who do not come within the 

 legal definition of that singular phrase. 



