DEATH OF THE RIGHT HON. R. W. HANBURY, M.P.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11571, 30 April 1903, Page 4

DEATH OF THE RIGHT HON. R. W. HANBURY, M.P.

The unexpected and somewhat sudden death of the Right Hon. R. W. Hanbury, M.P., President of the Board of Agriculture, will cause general regret among all who ore Interested in the progress of agriculture in the United Kingdom- He ibas done more than any other man of late years to make the Board of Agriculture of practical use to farmers, and a recent proposal that he made to appoint Advisory Boards throughout the country, was the outcome of a desire to Bring ihis Department into still closer contact with producers, so that their wants might be made better known. He was- a strong man, end Imbued with a considerable degree of oaution. This was shown in a marked manner by the stand that he took in regard to the- closing and the subsequent re-open-ing of British ports to live stock from the Argentine. The ports were closed, it will Ibe remembered, because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in. Argentine, and no amount of from British breeders of pedigree cattle and sheep, who for tho time being had lost their most profitable market, wouid induce him to re-open the porta until he considered it prudent to do so. The Argentine Government had retaliated by closing their ports to British live stock, and the trade in live cattle and sheep between the two countries was thus entirely suspended pending Mr Hanbury's decision in the matter. He d«sired, 'however, to bo thoroughly satisfled, not only that the Argentine was perfectly free from the disease, but that every precaution would be token by the Government of that country to prevent the shipment of diseased stock, and the introduction of disease from any of the neighbouring States. Ifc was only recently that ■ho was satisfied on these points, r.ad the embargo being removed, the live stock trade between the tiro countries Las been resumed. Another question upon which Mr Hanburr took a firm stand, and subjected himself to somo severe criticism, especially from cattle breedere in Scotland, wns in regard to the importation «f store cattle from Canada. Since 1896, we believe, no live cattle or sheep could bo imported into tli3 United Kingdom except for slangliter ;it the port of arrival, and Canadian ttore rattle were, therefore, shut out. Tfn , . scarcity and dearnesa of stores has of recent years caused an active agitntion among cattle breeders in the North for a removal of what they erroneously termed the "embargo" on Canadian store cattle, but Mr Hanbury would offer them no encourage ment. The question was recently tested in the House of Commons, and the views of the President of the Board of Agriculture were supported by a very large majority. In amending the law in regard to the adulteration of butter, and fixing a standard for milk, Mr Hanbury took an active part, and in rrapeet to the former, he had further amendments in hand. Ho also promised recently to go into the question of legislation to prevent the sale of imported meat as home-grown, and he annouced that he was endeavouring to open up new markets for British produce, and to publish, at regular intervals, reports enabling farmers to know within two or three days what prices were being obtained for agricultural produce of all kinds. Mr Hanbury proved himself an earnest acd capable worker on be-half of the farmers in the United Kingdom, an-i his place will be extremely hard to fill.