16 AUGUST 1946, Page 13

DICTATORSHIP ON THE LAND

Sia,—Your correspondent, Mr. Frank Sykes, in his letter in your issue of the 9th instant, would seem to approach the Odium case with mixed feelings. I feel- certain his state of mind is not uncommon with the general public. Apparently they would agree that War Agricultural Committees did a good work and their actions were warranted in war time. It was unfortunate for a certain county that one of its officials slipped up over the language used in describing Mr. Odium's farming operations, but one just wonders whether the case would have had another ending had it come forward in the heat of battle when food conditions in this country were so unpredictable. Would they not be inclined to say that, if a good farm is not turning out the food it could, it is right and proper that the occupier should receive orders to improve the out- put? In other words, the atmosphere of war is quite different from that in peace time. One does not quibble over a form of words when war is blazing. Few will be prepared to 'dispute Mr. Sykes' opinion that agri- cultural committees of the future will act more in an advisory capacity than in giving directions. These features of opinion will doubtless be debated in the House of Commons when the forthcoming Bill is pre- sented. One just wonders why Mr. Sykes stresses the point "Dictator- ship on the Land."

I think the defence- case would have been strengthened had it included the evidence of two men—not available owing to death—who inspected the farm prior to Mr. Hudson's purchase, and also that in 1942 P.O.W.s were not in this country to undertake drainage wiark.—Yours faithfully,