BRITAIN’S AGRICULTURE

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 May 1937, Page 7

BRITAIN’S AGRICULTURE

INCREASING PRODUCTION GOVT.’S NEW SCHEME [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIBELESS.] RUGBY, May 27. An announcement of Government proposals for increasing the productivity of agriculture, with a view to defence requirements and to establishing the industry in peace time, was made at question time in the House of Commons by tho Minister for Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison). Estimated to cost, a maximum of nearly £3,500,000 a year, and a minimum fo £1,740,000 a year, the proposals include:

(1) A large-scale comprehensive campaign for the eradication of animal diseases, involving the centralisation of public veterinary services.

(2) The extension of Exchequer grants for land drainage.

(3) Assistance to farmers in raising the fertility of the soil. (4) Stimulation of wheatgrowing and giving additional, insurance to wheatgrowers in the event of a new fall in wheat prices; and similar schemes for oats and barley; also with insurance to growers against , low prices. Mr. Morrison prefaced the detailed description of the scheme with an explanaiton of the Government’s decision on agricultural policy in relation to problems of defence. He said that in the opinion of the Government, to put agriculture on a war-time footing, with all the regimentation of the farming community and the heavy cost it would involve, would not be practicable at present. He added: “The situation is not such as. to require the adoption of this course in time of peace. The Government is,equally satisfied that the considerations of national defence do not justify a policy in peace time of stimulating agricultural production to such a pitch that the country will be faced with a highly artificial situation which would sooner or later have to be liquidated if the emergency did not arise.”

The Government, he said, had decided that the best course was to continue its efforts to improve the general prosperity and efficiency of home agriculture, and in particular to promote an increase in the fertility and productivity of the soil. The proposals were so designed that, should an emergency arise, the -country would be in a position immediatelj' to take advantage of the improved fertility. He added that the necessary legislation to give effect to the Government’s proposals would be introduced at the earliest possible moment.