Ageiculture Abroad. [Dec, 



co-operative cultivation of estates is expressly mentioned as 

 one of the purposes of the reforms. While it is intended to 

 parcel out expropriated lands to increase the size of already 

 existing small holdings, the principal aim is invariably the 

 creation of flourishing new small holdings. In introducing 

 regulations as to the maximum size of the holdings, it is the 

 hope of each state to create undertakings which will be inde- 

 pendent both from the economic and social points of view. The 

 dimensions fixed by each country vary according to the purpose 

 of the holding and the nature of the land. 



The persons entitled to acquire land set aside for purposes 

 of agrarian reform embrace the following classes : — (1) Ex- 

 service men, disabled ex-service men capable of work, and the 

 dependents of soldiers fallen in the war; (2) Workers employed 

 on the expropriated estates; fS) Other landless inhabitants of 

 rural districts; (4) Former employees in the service of the State, 

 in public service, and disabled ex-service men incapable of full 

 work. 



Almost all countries admit the preferential claims of persons 

 in class (1) by which they are able partially to solve the problem 

 of the ex-service man; socially by providing him with a means 

 of livelihood, and financially by relieving the country of pen- 

 sions obligations. 



The general methods of assisting settlers to acquire land are 

 either by some scheme for the granting of rent-titles under an 

 authorised deed of transfer, which provides for the payment 

 of a fixed annual rent (either in money or in kind) by the 

 settler to the former owner, without the payment of any initial 

 sum down, or by the estabhshment of settlement funds or rural 

 banks, regulated by the government, for the purpose of granting 

 loans. The principle that the settler shall not become complete 

 owner of the land is contemplated in all countries under dis- 

 cussion. 



Finally, with a view to maintaining the economic independ- 

 ence of the newly estabhshed holdings, special regulations have 

 been laid down to guard against unskilful cultivation. Measures 

 have been taken against the division or mortgaging of the 

 holding, and the personal responsibility of the settler for the 

 ef&cient working of the holding is clearly defined and can be 

 enforced by the power of the State to re-purchase and dispossess 

 the holder. 



It is anticipated that the fundamental character of the new 

 agrarian legislation, as incorporated in the various Acts which 



852 



