1907.] Report of Small Holdings Committee. 603 



small holdings is possible and desirable, but can only be made 

 successful by putting the whole thing, the provision of land, the 

 selection of the men, the methods of working, on a strictly 

 economic basis. 



He strongly emphasizes the importance of co-operation, and 

 concludes that the very best and most effectual machinery for 

 facilitating the creation of small holdings by voluntary action, 

 for equipping them with the necessary houses and farm and 

 other buildings, and for raising them when created to the highest 

 degree of profitable efficiency, is by the agency of co-operation. 

 To make small holdings a success, the State must do everything 

 in its power to stimulate, encourage and popularize co-operative 

 action and methods. 



The third point to which Sir Francis Channing attaches 

 special importance is agricultural education of a suitable type. 



With regard to the provision of land. State action and State 

 powers are considered to be imperatively necessary, as well as 

 an extension of the powers of Local Authorities to acquire land. 



Although Sir Francis Channing concurs in the proposal that 

 there should be a Central Authority to provide and promote small 

 holdings, he suggests that the proposal might be worked out 

 with somewhat greater precision and caution, and states his 

 views on certain points. He also favours a distinct Small 

 Holdings Commission or Land Commission to undertake the 

 duties of this central body, and adds an explanation of his views 

 as to the crrantino- of loans to landowners. 



o o 



The separate Report presented by Mr. Jesse CoUings refers 

 chiefly with the proposal to grant State loans to landowners, a 

 proposal with which Mr. Collings disagrees, on the ground 

 that as tenants the small holders would not reap the fruits of 

 their labour, as any increase in the value of the land would ulti- 

 mately fall into the hands of the owners from whom they rent. 

 Mr. Collings, therefore, makes the following recommenda- 

 tions : — 



I. A substantial sum to be placed at the disposal of the Board 

 of Agriculture for the purpose of creating small holdings 

 throughout the country. The terms, as to loans to small 

 holders, to be such as will secure that poverty be no bar to 

 suitable men acquiring the ownership of the land they till. 



