FOOD SUPPLIES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 25 May 1925, Page 4

FOOD SUPPLIES

A PEER'S OBJECTION

SAFEGUARD OF THE HOME

PRODUCER,

(FROU OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, Ist April,

In the House of Lords, Lord Strachio (L.) called attention to the " terms of reference of the Imperial Economic Committee and to the exclusion of British home produce from participation in the annual grant of £1,000,000 for the better marketing of Empire produce in Great Britain, in contradiction of the previous assurances of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Colonial Secretary." He moved that any grants for improved marketing of food products of the overseas parts of the Empire in Great Britain should be accompanied by corresponding grants in favour of the British home producer.

_ Ho objected, he said, to preference being given to the colonial producers to the detriment, of English producers. The British market had to stand a great deal of competition in the ordinary way without having additional unfair competition. He was opposed to the grant to the Dominions, but if they were to have it it was only fair that the home producer should have it as well Viscount Peel (first Commissioner of Works- said the million pounds a year was a part of the preference proposals and must be devoted to encouragement ot the consumption of Empire food sup. phes m the United Kingdom in preference to foreign productions of foodstuffs Hie Imperial Economic Committee was only an advisory committee, which could make suggestions but could not take action. If this committee were to recommend schemes contrary to the interests of United Kingdom agriculturists tne Government would have power to veto or modify them. The position of the home producer was protected and safeguarded. The. Home Government would have complete control over the allocation of the million pounds. It was quite possible that the committee would mako recommendations which would be advantageous both as regards imported Dominion foodstuffs and Home produce foodstuffs. The present committee Kmllecl its inquiry to the marketing of foodstuffs. The scope of the committee was not to encourage competition against the Home producer, but to encourage competition between Imperial producers and the foreigner, so that a much larger proportion of imported foodstuffs should >uc produced in the Dominions. The interests of the-Home producer would be carefully protected and safeguarded _ Ihe motion was rejected without division.