Small Holding Ambitions
The Leeds economists are very historical. In Oxford economists are very modern. Their latest enterprise has been stimulated by the suggestions, coming from Mr. Lloyd George and others, that vast numbers of unemployed people might be settled on the land. The frequent questions and answers exchanged between politicians and the economists are of this nature. " Would it be possible in your opinion to settle 100,000 men on the land ? " " No, about 15,000 would he the maximum." But let these divergent views rest. What is actually happening is that the Oxford authorities are making an exact inquest into the experience of statutory smallholders in a district of the South Midlands. The inquiry will not take very long ; and we shall know at the end of it exactly what each holding has cost and exactly how the different holders have fared, with much incidental knowledge besides. The idea is a good one.
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