REVIVING BRITISH AGRICULTURE

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7106, 15 March 1933, Page 7

REVIVING BRITISH AGRICULTURE

Regulating Supplies To Keep Up Prices

OTTAWA’S AWKWARD AGREEMENT

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Received Tuesday, 7.10 p.m. LONDON, March 14.

In the House of Commons Major Elliot, moving the second reading of the Agricultural Marketing Bill, claimed that if it succeeded it would bo the greatest thing tho Government had attempted. It aimed at making agriculture an organised industry based on the establishment of an equilibrium of price levels by means of quantitative regulation.

Mr. Williams, for the Labour Party, moved the rejection of the Bill on the ground that it would only consolidate tho interests of importers end middlemen and would not protect the consumer.

Colonel Rothschild said there was small hope of the regulation of supplies producing 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.

Mr. Burgin pointed out that the Dominions were as alive as anyone to the necessity for stabilisation. He was willing to discuss on a common ground the interests of agricultural producers throughout tho world. Tho debate was adjournod.