Land and Work, by Warneford Moffat (Sampson Low and Co.),
is a well-meant attempt to solve the problem of agricultural and commercial depression. Mr. Moffat has evidently studied and understands his subject, but his book lacks the incisive clearness and the literary skill required to win the general reader. His cardinal point, "the unity of the agricultural interest," is nowhere satisfactorily defined : he beats about the bushes of Protection, Land Nationalisation, Industrial Co-operation, not only without starting the hares, but without distinct idea that there are hares to start; and his positive proposals are so apologetic and circum- locutory, that the effort to apprehend them is severe. His schemes appear to be :-1. Free transfer of land, with Government assist- ance towards the creation and maintenance of small proprietors.
2. Reduction of land taxation, compensated by Protective duties.
3. Division of profits among workmen. 4. Technical education. The book might have been advantageously compressed into the limits of a Spectator article.
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