7 AUGUST 1926, Page 2

The Bill proposes many restrictions on the tenancies of the

cottages thus helped, in order to ensure that it will be agricultural labourers who get the benefit. That is well 'meant, but, much as we dislike the usurpation by "week-enders " and others of cottages needed for labourers, we foresee difficulties arising over changes of tenancy that may be unintentionally restricted. The labourer is no longer adscriptus glebae as he was in the days of mediaeval socialism, but his home is to be " tied " under future social legislation, and he will apparently be unable to keep it if he wishes to change his work. This may have serious effects upon his freedom of contract.