The Agricultural Holdings Bill has dragged along through the week,
everybody who can trying to kill it, but nobody quite suc- ceeding. Every amendment carried slightly decreases the burden on the landlord, who, for example, must have six weeks' instead of three weeks' notice of second-class improvements. A pro- posal to increase the minimum notice to evict from one year to two years was defeated by 202 to 39. So also, by 170 to 116, was an amendment by Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen limiting the right of landlords to contract themselves out of the Bill to contracts securing compensation to the tenant for unexhausted improve- ments. On the other hand, a proposal that a tenant five months in arrear with his rent shall not be entitled to a year's notice was carried by 138 to 79. Finally, after several useless attempts to limit the freedom of contract, the only clause suggested for the benefit of the labourer was moved by Mr. Seely, who proposed that a dismissed labourer should be entitled to two months' notice to quit his house. This was defeated by 170 to 85, and another clause, giving compensation to cottagers for improvements to cottage holdings, by 150 to 94,—whereby it is made clear that Labourers do not need votes.
