Rebuilding Britain: A Survey of Problems of Reconstruction After the World WarHopkinson, Alfred, Sir
History
Rebuilding Britain: A Survey of Problems of Reconstruction After the World War
Hopkinson, Alfred, Sir
Reconstruction (1914-1939) -- Great Britain
17. Increase the productivity of the land and promote agriculture, not
only for financial reasons, but to maintain and induce the growth of a
larger rural population. Stimulate education and research bearing on
agriculture.
18. Develop industrial villages, and also land settlements and
co-operative farming. Multiply allotments, both urban and rural, so far
as economic conditions permit and there is a supply of people desirous
and capable of working them.
19. Introduce methods enabling persons without ready capital to acquire
their cottages or small holdings by paying instalments on reasonable
terms. Why not an Ashbourne Act for England?
20. Control the liquor traffic, not with a view to injure the publican,
but to promote temperance, remembering that the business of the
licensed victualler should be to provide wholesome food as well as
drink, not to act merely as manager of a licensed house for extending
the trade, and enhancing the profits of a brewery or distillery.
21. Simplify the Land Laws and make transfer easier and less costly.
22. Amend the law relating to marriage, and also on some points
affecting personal status and devolution of property on death.
23. Consolidate the Statute Law and amend and codify the Criminal Law.
Carry out the amendment of the Patent Law.
24. Aid the development of Education without destroying the liberty of
teacher or scholar or the variety of methods by too much control, rigid
system, or over-elaborate organisation.
25. Combat disease, encourage research in preventive medicine, and
extend the application of its results. In particular carry on the
campaign against infectious and contagious diseases, and especially
against venereal disease.
26. Make better provision for playing-fields and open spaces, preserve
places of historic interest and natural beauty, and make them accessible
for the enjoyment of those who really care for them.
27. Develop fisheries.
28. Undertake afforestation systematically.
29. Improve and cheapen internal transport, especially by reviving
waterways.
A fairly long programme, but it might be added to. Some of it is
essential, all of it useful; some of it wants carefully guarding; none
of it is beyond the sphere of practical politics. We cannot afford to
neglect any of the items. All the activities of the Government, of the
Legislature, and of private effort will be needed. It is worth notice
that there is not a single question in the whole list that need divide
Parliament or the country on party lines.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account