Sir Thomas Acland, on Tuesday, made a long speech to
the Broadclyst Agricultural Association upon agricultural affairs, which, coming from so typical a man, has much political inter- est. Sir Thomas is evidently willing to enfranchise the soil from settlement, if not also from entail. His theory is that "no man should be permitted to entail a debt," or in other words, that any life-owner should be allowed to sell sufficient land to pay off any permanent charge. In practice, that theory would make the life-owner full owner for purposes of sales. With regard to tenant-right, Sir T. Acland, who is one of the greatest territorialists in England—the greatest, we believe, without a peerage —is prepared for a Bill securing absolutely to the farmer " whatever is necessary for the preparation of future crops," but would leave permanent improvements and invest- ments of capital calculated to add to the letting value to private- contract. He also hinted approval of Mr. Gladstone's remark that the tenant was entitled to be secured his whole interest in his holding. The general effect of his speech was that the great Whig landlords will support the abolition of entail and settle- ment and a compulsory Agricultural Holdings Act, but are afraid as yet to go farther.
Previous page
