ARE WE OVER-POPULATED?
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sue,—In supporting the Malthusian theory your correspondent, Mr. Dunlop, explains that "If the world's present food supply could be distributed equally to the world's present inhabitants, none would get enough for the maintenance of good health." This may be correct, but does he not overlook other essential factors in the problem.? For instance, the areas of villages, towns and cities vary with the population. Throughout this country unused land, however valuable it may be, is exempt from all rates, while Income Tax is not deducted from profit derived from its sale ! Consequently, the terms on which land is available for the expansion of villages, towns and cities, vary with the policy of speculators.
All the facts seem to indicate that our productive power is practically illimitable, but that this power is heavily handi- capped by the results of our unjust assessment laws. Under these conditions it is impossible to decide whether we are over-populated.—I am, Sir, &c.,
GEORGE ALFRED GOODWIN.
Birken, Prestatyn, N.W.
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