19 AUGUST 1916, Page 10

[TO THE EDITOR OP THR " SPECTATOR:]

STR,—Your article on the above is good, but there is at least one point on which you have not touched—the question of rent and security of tenure. The latter is more secure than formerly, but still leaves snuck to be desired. As to rents, they are at present on a real competitive basis modified by sentiment and the practice of good landlords, but nothing on such a system can in the long run prevent the owner pocketing all the advantages arising from everything the State might do to help

the farmer. Either a tariff or a bonus would go to the owner in rents raised, as has been the case with the Agricultural Rating Act. Fair rents and security of tenure must be given if the State interferes at all, or the public would have to pay to keep up rents. Better far for the State to see to security of tenure and better education : then farming ought to pay in England and give us better proceeds than in Denmark or