The Bill seems to me to have divided the powers
discreetly and well between the Ministry, the County Councils and the District Councils. But this is not written for the purpose of taking sides, but to suggest how much may be done by personal co-operation to ensure effective preservation. The local councilsin my experience 'at least—are modest and consciously ignorant. They desire expert help and have the power to co-opt more skilled persons and to consult the voluntary panels of architects. If landlords everywhere would join hands with the planners, their influence would be welcome and effective, and in many places they could follow directly the lead of Lord Dcsborough and Lord Astor in offering to have their own property scheduled as open spaces. Nothing would do so much service to the cause as a general perception of this opportunity. At the same time everyone feels that the more power that is given to the greater authority,
• the better, even if the idea (already under discussion among influential -persons) comes to nought, the appointment of
• National Commissioners who can take a bird's eye view of this England, this " swan's nest in an Ocean."'
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