242 AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION 



In the Scotch evidence, we had to note a protest by 

 several witnesses against fixity of tenure on the ground 

 that it led to a monopoly. 



Many land reformers will feel doubt as to the wisdom 

 of a practically perpetual tenure being given to in- 

 dividual tenants and their legatees. While there is a 

 strong desire to give full protection to the rights and 

 interests of those who till the soil, it may reasonably be 

 held to be inconsistent with the general interest of the 

 nation to create what are virtually fresh monopolies. 



Mr Cooke, representing the Federation of Farmers' 

 clubs in Cheshire, warmly approved of Mr Smith's Bill 

 being carried out to encourage high farming by absolute 

 security, stop capricious evictions for political or sectarian 

 reasons, or because of game preserving, and to set aside 

 unfair and restrictive covenants and penal rents, which 

 still abound and are used illegally to coerce tenants out 

 of their statutory rights. The landlord will be bound, 

 but the tenant may quit, and his improvements would 

 in that case be valued to him by the court. 



Dr Fream mentions a strong wish for a land court in 

 parts of Kent and Hampshire. 



Mr Bomford approves of conciliation courts to settle 

 disputes as to rent, and " thinks the very fact of there 

 being a court of that sort would make the landlord and 

 tenants practically agree to some compromise, and so 

 settle their own affairs." 



Mr Spencer quotes an Oxfordshire farmer who was 

 refused a reasonable reduction, and said : " What we 

 want is a land court to deal with the rent. If I could 

 get my rent reduced, I would say nothing about the 

 depression. Many farmers would like a land courts but 

 are afraid to say so." 



With regard to the objection that arbitration would 

 be unequal, as it would bind the landlord while leaving 

 the tenant free to leave if dissatisfied, attention should 

 be directed to the excellent results of Lord Tollemache's 

 leases in Cheshire. This lease is for nineteen years and 

 binding on the landlord, while allowing the tenant, if 

 times go wrong with him, to leave at a year's notice. 



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