WCP2627

[1]¹

9 Lowndes Square²

21.3.[18]81³

Dear Sir,

In answer to your circular⁴ which you have sent me, — — Much of what you propose I heartily sympathise with though I doubt greatly whether it can be obtained by the process of nationalising the land. — We undoubtedly require greater facilities than exist at present for furnishing homes, and residences with gardens which [2 words illeg.] [2] would practical[l]y destroy this avenue to happiness — The financial [1 word illeg.] of your proposal also appears to me to fail in estimating at its small value the present but rights of Landowners.

Dividing as you do the whole value of the Land of England into two portions, in "tenant right" & "quit rent" [1 word illeg.] Prop 3. [2 initials illeg.] [1 word illeg.] that the payment of the first sum for 3 generations say[?] 100 years [3] is the same thing as paying for the fee[?] simple — the diff[erence] in value of a rent charge for 99 years in a payment for ever is considerable & if the State is to step in and purchase the [1 word illeg.] <title> of the land it is quite another thing to paying a sum for it to the present even of landlords for 99 years [1 word illeg.] thus of its own right requiring the fee — I leave you to consider the [1 word illeg.] complicated aspect of the economic function which your proposal involves & I would only [2 words illeg.] that I think there are very grave difficulties to be considered before [4] the absolute property of the working man. Your [1 word illeg. struck through] scheme of nationalization is opposed to our real ownership — the only ownership you admit is a [1 word illeg.] of "[1 word illeg.] farms [1 word illeg.]" from the State, with which would hardly content the people — the absolute ownership of land uncontrolled by State restrictions, except such as may be considered [1 word illeg.] with [1 word illeg.] to test man today. Provision is then our great prize the State would be able to offer to the people — Your scheme [5]⁵ any responsable [sic] Statesman could be induced to adopt so [1 word illeg.] a policy.

Yours faithfully | Blandford [signature]

[Initials and surname illeg.] Esq[uire]

1 [1 word illeg.] Terrace

[1 word illeg.]