In the course of this speech, Mr. Gladstone expressed an
opinion upon the Land Laws of Great Britain which may prove one day to be of high political importance. "I am bound to- say, in the first place, that 1 attach no value to our land laws in respect of entail and settlement. On the contrary, I am in favour of rather bold and important, if not sweeping change. Greater freedom ought to be established, and I think that not merely economical but social mischief results from the present system. Therefore I am prepared to entertain on that subject a great change." H Mr. Gladstone were still in power these words would constitute a pro- gramme, and even as it is they show that he is in sympathy with those who, like Mr. Bright and Mr. Chamberlain, believe the next social reform in England will be a reform in tenure, and who wilt recommend the abolition of settlement and entail. This reform,, however, will not, in Mr. Gladstone's judgment, tend to the creation of small properties in England, as the economic con- ditions there prevalent will always secure that land shall be held in large masses. Indeed, he thinks the cultivator in England, though not in Ireland, better off as tenant than as landlord. He• has his capital to use.
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