WCP2667

[1]¹

Allotments & Small Holdings Association

Moor Street 95 Colmore Row,

Birmingham,

Feb[ruary]. 16 1886

Dear Sir,

Will you allow me to thank you for your kind expression of interest in my pamphlet, and also for the suggestive and interesting letter which you have been so good as to write.

I have read your two pamphlets, "The Nationalization of the Land"² and "Bad Times"³, and am very glad that your views are, on the whole, so near to those which we hold who are actively [2] carrying on the work of this Association⁴.

With your criticism of the Allotments & Small Holdings Bill⁵ I am disposed to write. Taking the points you name in their order, I think it is getting to be pretty generally understood that the Allotments Bill does contemplates [sic] only the creation of holdings at rent charges, and the retaining of the ultimate freehold of the soil in the hands of the local authority. With regard to a compulsory power to take land back again, — it can only be done for the purpose of a public improvement, such as a railway, or the making of a new street or some such purpose.

I largely agree with your objection to the power of putting the Act in practice, being left [3] voluntary. It is quite possible that, as you say, landlords, farmers, and shopkeepers, may prevent the carrying out of the Act, but it would rest with the labouring classes — who, after all, constitute the majority of the ratepayers — to exert their rights in the matter. If it is found that the Act is not put into operation by means of voluntary action, there would speedily be a powerful agitation raised in favour of making the Act compulsory, and, as a matter of tactics it is, I think, better to leave the matter as it is. We have enough opposition to get over in any case and to make the Act compulsory straight away would create a great deal more opposition. It will be necessary eventually for the Act to operate all over the country as was [4] said in an article in the Daily News⁶ yesterday but if we can get in the thin end of the wedge, a great deal will have been done.

This Association is on the point of starting a monthly periodical, and is on the look-out for contributors to its columns. Of course it will be conducted without hope of profit; we only trust that we may not be very heavy losers. It would be a great assistance to us if you will allow your name to be added to the list of contributors. The first number is to be published for March, and if you would send us something, such as the letter you have written to me, which might be published in its columns, and we might name you as amongst the writers for the paper, I shall be extremely obliged.

I am | Y[ou]rs truly | Fred[eri]c Impey⁷ [signature]