BRITISH AGRICULTURE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 2, 2 December 1931, Page 6

BRITISH AGRICULTURE.

When the British Government recently framed its measure dealing with excessive importations, agricultural products were specially omitted so as to be dealt with in a separate Bill. Conservative opinion was somewhat disappointed with this course of action, but the Government is not losing any time in addressing itselt to this urgent question. . According to a statement made by the Minister for Agriculture (Sir John Gilmour) the imports of non-essential produce will be limited by tariffs. The list of agricultural and horticultural products coming within the scope of' the Act is extensive. At the present time Continental countries are able to reap substantial benefits from the early exploitation of the British markets with fruits, vegetables, and other produce which ripen more quickly than in the Homeland. The principle of the quota is to be applied to home grown wheat of milling quality so as to ensure for growers a better price by the use of their wheat by British millers. There will not be any contribution from the Exchequer. There is good reason for the pleasure expressed by Home agricultural interests with the Bill. Arable farming, for a lengthy period, has been very seriously affected by the depression in primary products and by the excessive importations of cereals from abroad, coupled with the high costs of production. Last year, it is estimated, the average price of' cereals was only six per cent, above the pre-war level, whereas wages were 76 per cent, greater. Another factor not to be overlooked is jfiat hours of work have been reduced, so that it is broadly accepted the costs of production are to-day twice as much as before the war. Continental countries are watching the tariff developments in Britain with keen interest, France anticipating that her exports will be affected to the extent of £10,000,000. The French Finance Minister is now in England to discuss the question of trade. The British Government is acting wisely in assisting its wheat growers, an experiment which may be extended to other branches of arable farming. “Agriculture,” said Mr Baldwin in an address, “is still our greatest industry-. There is no doubt that in the past year things in agriculture have gone fronf bad to worse; the price of wheat has fallen to an extraordinary level; bounty-fed stuff is coming from some countries; the class of wealthy landlords wild in the seventies were able to help their tenants no longer exist; in some parts of 'the country it is becoming difficult to pay agricultural labour the wages required by law.” The plight of British agriculture is the warrant for the Government’s legislation, which the Labour Party, which did practically nothing to assist during its term of office, is opposing.