222 AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION 



favour of settling compensation cases by a single 

 arbitrator, officially selected and appointed. 



Mr Hope points out the cost and complication of the 

 present system. 'There are usually engaged in ascer- 

 taining the rights of the two parties, two arbiters, an 

 oversman, a solicitor as clerk, and two solicitors acting 

 for the landlord and tenant respectively, and a consider- 

 able number of skilled witnesses." He adds : " One 

 natural result of such a process is to cause a strong feel- 

 ing of hostility, and make each side view the other's 

 claim as an attempted fraud." 



The wish is to substitute for those arrangements an 

 official valuator or arbitrator who would decide authori- 

 tatively, impartially, and in accordance with the intentions 

 of the Act. 



Other Scotch evidence is to the same effect. 



The Amending AgriculturalHoldings Act for Scotland 

 in 1889 by which either party can require the sheriff to 

 appoint a single arbiter, has led to more frequent decisions 

 by single arbiters, but not as yet in a majority of cases, 



Mr Ferguson says : " It would be far better for every- 

 body concerned if representative practical men in districts 

 or counties should be appointed under Government to 

 arbitrate between the landlord and the outgoing tenant." 

 " A sole arbiter would be far the best." " There should 

 be an official referee with power in difficult cases to call 

 in one responsible person, and to get advice from a 

 neighbouring referee." " My opinion is that a sole 

 referee should take whatever legal or other advice he 

 considers necessary, and decide accordingly." 



" The Government arbitrator would be supposed to 

 be a man who would approach it from both sides of the 

 question." 



Mr Davidson " would rather have an official valuator 

 than a casual appointment by a sheriff, but would leave 

 the parties free to select beforehand their own man 

 instead of the official arbitrator. It might be well to 

 limit the selection by the sheriff to an official list 

 sanctioned by the Board of Agriculture. 



Mr Black thinks it would be cheaper and more 



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