Mr. Blennerhassett's Bill for the abolition of agricultural distraint gave
rise on Wednesday to a sharp and sensible debate. The landlords' advocates, of course, condemned the Bill, nominally on the ground that they would be compelled to demand rents in advance, really because they feel that their preferential right is a dignity as well as a security, and enables them to ad mit any tenant they choose, as, even if he is rained, the rent is safe. The Bill is supported by the farmers' friends, (n the ground, quite just, that the right of distraint gives a State
guarantee to the landlord, and so places the farmer at a disad- vantage in dealing with his banker, to whom he can only offer what is practically a second mortgage. Moreover, it enables men without capital or character to bid for farms over the heads of men who intend to live permanently on them. In Scotland, the farmers were unanimous, but it is not certain they are so in England, many tenants dreading excessive strictness on the landlords' part, such as is exercised in securing rent for houses. The Government, through Sir W. Harcobrt, say they admit the principle, but wish for inquiry, and for a Bill providing new and efficient means for re-entry upon land, which have been -omitted in Mr. Blennerhassett's measure. The Bill was talked out, and clearly awaits a more decisive expression of tenant-farmers' opinions.
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