166 LAND TENURE 



is possible it can be only under one head, and that is the 

 question of land tenure. Let us work together in all other 

 matters where there can be no friction, and let us thresh out 

 this subject of tenure between ourselves, and see if we cannot 

 arrive at a friendly settlement. We are certainly more likely 

 to come to some satisfactory conclusions by openly debating 

 the points of difference between us, than by holding aloof and 

 discussing our differences in separate camps." That was the 

 spirit which called the Chambers into existence, and that 

 spirit has dominated the numerous and prolonged debates 

 upon this subject on every occasion when it has arisen. It 

 will be admitted everywhere that the various Agricultural 

 Holdings Acts passed since 1875. have progressively strength- 

 ened the position of the tenant. It will be found that almost 

 all these Acts have been placed upon the Statute Book as a 

 result of the action taken by the Chambers ; it does not, 

 however, follow that all the provisions of these Acts were 

 pressed for or were approved by the Chambers. 



The question might well be asked why the time of Parlia- 

 ment should be taken up by interfering in the business rela- 

 tions between agricultural landlords and tenants. There is 

 one, and only one, justification but it suffices. The land 

 is the primary element in producing the people's food, and 

 those concerned in its cultivation ought to be induced to 

 make their output as large as possible. This was recognised 

 by Mr. Pusey's Select Committee in their report as quoted 

 in the next paragraph but one. In the conditions prevailing 

 generally before 1850, and very widely up to 1883, a tenant 

 did not during the last year or two of his occupation, espe- 

 cially in the case of leases, think of his output ; he only tried 

 to get back from the land what he had previously put into 

 it. This meant that the land was being " run out," and 

 consequently that the next occupier did not get the best 

 out of his farm for sometimes several years. Hence the 

 meaning and importance of the words of the more recent 

 Agricultural Holdings Acts : " Such sum as fairly repre- 

 sents the value to the incoming tenant." This ensures, 

 so far as words in an Act of Parliament can ensure anything, 



