- German land may not become an object to financial speculation (Cf. Point 17, p.19), nor may it provide an unearned income for its owner. It may only be acquired by him who is prepared to cultivate it himself. Therefore the State has a right of pre¬ emption on every sale of land.
It is forbidden to pledge land to private lenders.
The necessary loans for cultivation on easy terms will be granted to farmers either by associations recognized by the State or by the State itself.
- Dues will be paid to the State for the use of land according to the extent and quality of the pro¬ perty. This tax on land will obviate any further taxation of landed property.
- No hard and fast rule can be laid down as to the amount of cultivation. From the point of view of our population policy we require large numbers of small and middle-sized farms. Farming on a large scale, however, has a very essential part to play, and, if it preserves a healthy relation towards the smaller businesses, it is justifiable.
- A law of inheritance will be required to prevent subdivision of property and an accumulation of debt upon it.
- The State shall have the right of appropriating land, suitable compensation being granted :
(a) when not owned by a member of the nation ; (b) when—by a judgment of the Land Courts—it is held that its owner, by bad farming, is not acting in the national interest ; (c) for the purpose of settling independent farmers on it, when the owner is not cultivating it himself; (d) when it is required for special State purposes in the national interest