In the House of Commons on Friday week the second
reading of the Land Tenure Bill was moved by Mr. Agar-Robartes. Its principle was that the capital of a tenant farmer should be exempt from confiscation. The Bill cheapened and simplified the method of compensation for tenants' improvements, and gave a tenant the right at the expiration of his tenancy to claim compensation for all additions to the agricultural value of his holding, exempting certain improvements from the necessity of receiving the landlord's consent. Compensation would be allowed for damage done to crops by game which the tenant was not entitled to kill, and also for unreason- able disturbance of a tenancy, to save him against dismissal on political or religious grounds. An amendment condemn- ing the measure was moved by Lord Helmsley and supported by Mr. Hicks Beach, on the ground that it would weaken the interests of landlords in their property and discourage the employment of capital on land. After speeches in favour of the Bill by Sir Edward Strachey and the Secretary for Scotland, and against by Mr. Long, the amendment was rejected by 332 votes to 77, and the second reading carried by a majority of 253. We have every desire to see tenants encouraged to improve their farms wisely, and to enjoy the fruits of such improvements, but it must never be forgotten that injudicious legislation might impose an intolerable burden on the landlords. Nothing is more difficult than to value improvements fairly. .
