FARMING IN BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 62, 15 March 1933, Page 9

FARMING IN BRITAIN

ORGANISING INDUSTRY *

DOMINIONS A FACTOR

LONDON, March 14.

The Minister of Agriculture, Major W. E. Elliot, moving; the second reading of the Agricultural Marketing Bill, in the House of Commons, claimed that if it succeeded it would be the greatest thing the Government had attempted. It. aimed at making agriculture an organised industry based on the establishment of an equilibrium in price levels, which meant quantitative regulation. Mr. Williams, for the Labour Party, moved the rejection of the Bill on the ground that it would only consolidate the interests of importers and middlemen, and would not protect tho consumer. Mr. Rothschild, said that there was small hope that the regulation of supplies would produce the desired stability in prices. A limitation might be placed on home supplies, but the Ottawa agreement prevented the restriction, of Dominion supplies. The Government might restrict dear Danish butter, but not the cheap Australian and New Zealand article. The Parliamentary Sccretarv to the Board of Trade (Mr. E. L. "Bui-gin), pointed out that the Dominions were as alive as anyone' to the necessity of stabilisation. He was willing to discuss on common ground the interest of agricultural producers throughout the world. The debate was adjourned.