The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-06-06 00:00:00

THE TENURE OF LAND.

On Saturday many of the members of the Leicester-
shire Chamber of Agriculture assembled at the "Bell
Hotel," Leicester, to discuss the question of tenant
right, when among those present were Mr. Albert
Pell, M.P., and Mr. S. W. Clowes, M. I'. Mr. 'l' J.
Scott, chairman of the Warwickshire Chamber of
Agriculture, having explained the course taken by
that Chamber at their meeting in reference to the sub-
ject, moved the following resolution, which was carried
unanimously :
•

"That the present position of agriculture and the general
welfare of the country demand immediate legislation re-
specting the tenure and occupation of agricultural land."

Mr Albert Pell propc)sed a resola-tion :

" That the Council of the Central Chamber of Agriculture
be requested to prepare a Parliamentary Bill designed to
give to tenants on leaving power to recover the existing
value of capital invested by them in improvements suitable
to their holdings and not removable by them, where such
power may not be already given by custom or agreement."
In proposing the resolution he thought the Chamber
should do something definite in reference to the matter,
as he was opposed to any contract that was immoral in
its character. He felt that something was really needed
to secure to men who occupied the land the value of
their improvements, wherever they left the land and
could not recover compensation under any agreement
made with the landlord or by any cu-tom. He con-
sidered that where no custom prevailed, as in Lin-
colnshire, and no. agreement had been entered into,
some provision should be made -in the bill which
would stand in the place of the custom or agreement."
It might be said that the resolution would not meet
the cases of extreme men or the landlord, who might
say to the tenant, "Before I let you my farm you
must undertake not to avail yourself of the powers of
the Central Chamber of Agriculture Bill, and that you
shall not obtain one sixpence of what you leave
behind." To this he would say that if a tenant
farmer or landlord was no foolish as to put himself
in a position like that he should be sorry to see
him protected by Act of Parliament. He regarded
any other proposal, considering how the occupiers
of the land had the opportunity of approaching
this matter in a reasonable manner, as an insult
to both classes. If it could be shown that the owners
of property either through mortgages or other
circumstances could not make such arrangements as
would compensate for suitable improvements, or where
the custom of the county did not do it, he thought it
desirable that they should fill up the gap and
_put the
tenant farmer in a position by legislation. To draw
up such a bill he considered the Chamber of Agricul-
ture the most suitable body. Mr. S. W. Clowes,
M.P., seconded the resolution. An amendment was,
I however, proposed.
"That no legislation respecting the tenure of land will be
acceptable which fails to give to tenants security for the ex-
isting value at date of quitting of the capital invested by
them, and not removable from the farm, excepting tenures
In which such value has been already provided for by cm.
pensation or consideration specified in a lease or agree-
ment."
On being put to the meeting, Mr. Fells motion was

carried almost unanimously. the mover and Peconder
of the amendment only voting against it. Mr. Pell,
%l. P., also moved the following resolution, which was

earrie.ti unanimously :--
'• That in any legislation respecting the tenure of land pro.
vision should be made for securing rompi•nration to the
landlords fir the damage er deterioration of their property
cau,eil by the default of the tenants.-