CHAPTER V 



Small Holdings 



The framers of the Small Holdings Act of 

 1908 meant it to be, undoubtedly, a Land 

 Settlement Act, but in practice it has not 

 achieved much in the way of land settle- 

 ment. Rather should it be described as an 

 Act for providing tradesmen with accommo- 

 dation land, which they often handle badly, 

 and for giving additional land to men 

 already living in the country and holding 

 a few acres. 



During the seven years of the working of 

 the Act, only seven hundred and seventy- 

 four fresh families have been placed on 

 holdings newly equipped with cottages and 

 buildings. In addition to this, a certain 

 number of men have been placed in old farm- 

 houses which have been divided up for their 

 use, and in farm cottages to which land has 

 been attached. The actual increase in the 



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