The Duke of Richmond has given notice that he will
introduce a Bill on agricultural holdings,—the " Tenant-right" Bill,—on the 12th inst. The Premier assured a deputation of farmers on Tues- day, that this Bill would give satisfaction to farmers throughout the United Kingdom, but its provisions have hitherto been some- what carefully concealed. Mr. Disraeli evidently is not going to press his proposal of two years' notice of eviction, and the general impression is that the Government intend to propose that compensation for unexhausted improvements made with the con- sent of the landlord shall be .the presumption of law, but that such presumption may be barred by mutual agreement in writing. Such a Bill, it is affirmed, both by Mr. Clare Read and Mr. Howard, the chief spokesman of the deputation to Mr. Disraeli, will be nugatory, as every lease or letting will contain a clause barring compensation, but the landlords will plead for the liberty of " free contract" in land, which they say dealers in all other articles pos- sess. The Central Chamber of Agriculture on Tuesday decided to support Mr. Howard's view, but to allow contracts to fix a. definite compensation for any improvement, provided it be not less than the Act without the contract clause would ensure. That provision, in fact, nullifies free contract, but checks litigation, if the parties are tolerably friendly.
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