The text of Mr. Parnell's Land Bill has been published,
and differs considerably from forecasts of it. After affirming that a great depression has occurred in the prices of agricultural produce since the judicial rents were fixed, it makes three provisions. By one, leaseholders may claim the benefit of the Land Act. By another, any impoverished tenant whose rent was fixed before December 31st, 1884, may, after pay- ing half the rent for 1886 and half any arrears, show that he is unable to pay more "without loss of his hold- ing, or depreciation of the means necessary for the cultiva- tion and stocking thereof," and demand an abatement of rent The Court shall then decree such abatement as seems just and expedient in the arrears and rent for 1886 and 1887. By the third, any tenant making application for abatement may, if he pays half the rent, be protected from eviction until his application has been decided. The rent is to be lowered, it will be seen, as well as the eviction delayed, and this only because the tenant has expended his capital. The Government will, it is expected, reject the Bill in toto. The abatement clauses are certainly inadmissible, but it would be well to consider whether the 41elaying clauses could not be put into endurable shape. If there is to be a new Land Bill next year, impoverished tenants ought to have the benefit of it, and the landlords will lose little by waiting. Half the rent may, how- ever, be an inadequate instalment.
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