1909.] Operation of Small Holdings Act. 577 



has been considered and reported on, only to be rejected as 

 unsuitable or prohibitive in price. 



Further, the increased prosperity of agriculture during the 

 last few years is an important factor in the situation. The 

 demand for farms is keener at the present time than it has 

 been for many years past, and there has been a corresponding 

 appreciation^ in the value of agricultural land. 



In view, therefore, of all the circumstances, the Commis- 

 sioners consider that the results already achieved under the 

 Act may be regarded with satisfaction, and that there has 

 been little or no avoidable delay in carrying out the inten- 

 tions of Parliament. At the same time, they observe that it 

 is not altogether a disadvantage at the commencement of the 

 movement that progress should be somewhat deliberate. It 

 is most important that mistakes should not be made at its 

 inception, that the system should be established on a strictly 

 economic basis, and that the work should be accomplished 

 with the goodwill and co-operation of all classes connected 

 with the land. Too great haste will inevitably bring disaster. 

 It is not enough merely to place men on the land. The whole 

 machinery of co-operative organisation, coupled with in- 

 creased facilities for agricultural education, must be built 

 up in order that the small holders may be able to make 

 the best of their land and to dispose of their produce at 

 remunerative prices. If too large a number of small holders 

 be set up before this is done the result will be not only that 

 many of the newly established small holders will fail, but 

 also that they will bring down with them a number of old- 

 established small holders who are now making a decent 

 living, but who will be unable to withstand the excessive 

 competition and flooded markets caused by the creation of 

 a numerous body of rivals. 



It is also most important from the point of view of the 

 small holder that he should not be established at the cost of 

 injustice to the farmers among whom he will have to live, 

 and who will have it in their power to give him valuable 

 assistance, without which he may be handicapped consider- 

 ably. With a reasonable amount of goodwill on both sides 

 it will be* possible to acquire vacant farms and to take away 

 portions of large . holdings without any real damage being 



BE y' s s 



