Page:The farm labourer in 1872.djvu/28

 The problem which is generally looked upon as so difficult of solution is here solved with eminent success. It has been shown to be quite practicable to elevate the labouring man, not only without burdening the farmer or the landlord, but to the manifest benefit of both, to foster small holdings without depressing agriculture or retarding improvement, and to combine permanence with progress."

A similar system with similar results obtains in North Derbyshire, and is described by the Agricultural Commissioners' Report. There are two other points, not immediately within the scope of this paper, but bearing on it sufficiently perhaps to be mentioned here.

1. The prohibitory regulations of the enclosure commissioners as to cottage building prevent money being taken up by landlords through the companies. If two or three practical men were put on the commission, there need be no great difficulty about cottage accommodation.

2. The administration of Poor Law out-relief, which, in some parts, by indirectly supplementing wages, is in fact degrading and lowering the wages of the unskilled labourer. When both employer and employed, as donor and recipients of Out-relief look to the rates as a legitimate fund for indirectly and sometimes directly eking out wages, the effect cannot but be pernicious and demoralizing; and if this Conference only calls attention to this one fatuous fallacy