A Liberal Agricultural Programme.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7076, 23 February 1893, Page 3

A Liberal Agricultural Programme.

At a meeting of Liberal members of Par* liament connected with agrionlture held in London in December,the following programme of agricultural reform was agreed to s “ That, in the opinion of this meeting, tbe present disastrous state >f agriculture is of , national cono rn, and calls for the immediate attention hf Parliament. ; “ That a rhfcurn to Protection in any form would be injurious to the country at largo, and in view of the opposition of consumers, " is wholly impracticable. . ** That, in.the interest of all concerned in the cultivation, of the soil, legislation is nr* gently heeded’ for .the following purposes 11 1. To amend and extend the Agricultural Holdings Act. * r (a) The sitting tenant should be secured the full advantage of his own improvements on entering into a new contract of tenancy* - “ (b) The procedure should be simplified ■ and cheapened by the establishment of an official body of referees, appointed by county councils, subject to the approval of the Board of Agriculture, so as to'easure full compensation for improvements. “ (c) Tbe tenant should have more freedom to make improvements, and fair oompentation for all impffjvements which add to the value of the holding. “ (d) The tenant should have freedom of cultivation and sale of produce so long as ho kcepsup the fertility of the soil. «{e) Tonauts of agricultural holdings, I gardens, and cottages should have greater security of tenure by equitable compensation . for disturbance. ** (f) The landlord’s right of distress should be abolished. . “ 2. To " allow - the tenant the solo right to ground game. “3* To prevent frauds in the sab of unadulterated and worthless manures and feeding 'Stuffs, and to make the administration of the lavra ae to the adulteration of butter and other ogrionltural products effective ; also to extend the provisions of the Merchandise .Marks Act to the sale of meal *• 4. To revise the incidence of rating in rural districts, and to equitably divide the rates between owner and oooupier. “ That it is desirable that there should be a revision of the system of valuation of tithes. “ That it is desirable to abolish the present law of primogeniture, entail, and settlement, and to establish a cheaper method of transfer and compulsory registration of title. , “ That it is desirable to amend the Allotments Acta, so as- “ (a) To place the power of obtaining land lor allotments in the i>aodsof a parish council. “ (S) To enable the local authority to compulsorily purchase or hire suitable land at tbe agricultural value, and let it to tenants at a fair rent. ** (c) To enable the local authority to pro vide pasture allotments, and to let more than one acre to a tenant. “ ( d ) To give permission to erect buildings, full security for crops and improvements, and compensation for disturbance, so long as tbe tenant pays bis rent and cultivates his allotment properly. "That the Small Holdings Act should bo amended so as to give the local authority compn.aory powers to purchase or hire suitable bod for small holdings at its fair agricultural value, and to let the land instead i of selling it, wherever that course is more { likely to promote the rapid development of ( ■mall holdings.” j