A COMING LAW.
One cardinal difficulty has stood in the way ; and the pioneer counties have found a way round only by a rather weak compromise. Any area scheduled as agricultural, and there- fore not to be built upon, loses potential value ; and the owner deserves compensation. As no money for this purpose has been available the agricultural areas have not hitherto been described as such. They have been scheduled as spaces on which not more than four houses to the acre can be built. This clause, meant to hinder, not to encourage, building, saves the need of compensation. It is a silly business. Obviously the right method is that the specifically building areas shall contribute to the areas protected from building, exactly on the principle adopted for public houses. Those that are shut receive compensation from the privileged few whose business is presumably increased. Legislation to this effect is being urged on the Government ; and there are men of light and leading in all parties who are favourably disposed to some such scheme of preservation. Among others, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Mr. Morrison and Mi. Lloyd George have all made wise and serious contributions to the principle.
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