GREAT BRITAIN'S FOOD SUPPLIES.

Northern Advocate, 24 July 1923, Page 7

GREAT BRITAIN'S FOOD SUPPLIES.

EMPIRE PRODUCERS' MEETING.

IMPORTANT POLICY PROPOSALS

At- a meeting of the British Empire Producers' Organisation early in June, presided over by the chairman of council, Mr Ben H. Morgan, the agricultural policy of Britain in relation to the Empire was considered. The following statement by the chairman was unanimously adopted Oy the council: —

"While agreeing with the Central Landowners' Association's resolution that thi3 country should provide the nucleus of its food supply in case of war or oilier national emergency, we would point out with all possible cmphaßis that in our opinion there is a far greater danger to be feared from circumstances arising in time of peace; that is tho operations of gigantic foreign trusts that already control our food supply, and can at will raise or depress piices, a menace alternately to consumer and producer and in the long run to both, the greatest desideratum in regard to food supplies being reasonable prices maintaining themselves steadily at approximately the same level over long periods of time.

"The only way, therefore, thfit the agriculture of Great Britain can be strengthened is by freeing itself from the domination of foreign trusts and combines; and there is only one way to do this, that is, by participation in a whole Empire policy, a policy which would give Great Britain the first full right in her own markets and give tho lirst opportunity thereafter to the overseas Empire.

"This body, representing the great producing associations of the Empiro overseas, is concerned, though not primarily, with developing the agriculture of Great Britain, and is engaged In a continuous effort to make the Empire self-supporting not only in tho aggregate, but in individual units, and we regard it as our special task to

bring the overseas Empire agriculturist into the movement to support, tho agriculturist of Great Britain and to endeavour to do away with the hostility (arising purely from mis-informa-tion) is entertained by the farmer of Great Britain toward the overseas Empire farmer. Their interests are common, and only by s; recognition of that fact can the Home market be secured to the Home farmer and overseas Empire producer."

It was accordingly unanimously resolved that:—

(a) The policy which should govern any legislation dealing with agricultural questions should be based upon a consideration of the question of the whole of tho food supplies of the United Kingdom, and that measures dealing with any one aspect of agriculture should be framed with a full consideration of its position in. relation to the whole.; (b) This organisation, therefore, desires to emphasise the urgent desir ability of an early announcement by H.M. Government s* to the minimum annual production in cereal, meat, dairy and other produce required in tho economic and strategic interest of the State

(.1) From the United Kingdom, (2) From the Empire.

(c) It be urged upon the Government that immediate steps be taken to ensure the production on an economic basis from the United Kingdom of such minimum, and to encourage the pm luction of these commodities throughout the Empirj by the adoption of a policy of preferential treatment.

(d) This organisation welcomes the recommendations of the agricultural tribunal ra its advocacy of the prin ciple of Empire preference in relation to agricultural produce, and would urge that the same principle which governs its recommendations in regard to malting barley and hops should be extended to wheat and wheat products.

(e) It be urged that on all occasions on which the demands for revenue Te quire the imposition of import or excise duties in connection with the Unit* <>d Kingdom supplies such duties should be imposed with the definite object of increasing Empire production rather than as at present dictated by the demands for revenue onlv.

Among the elections to the- membership of the organisation were the New Zealand Meat Board, the Producers' Central Council of New South Wales, the Canadian Tobacco Growers' Co-on-

■eratlvc, ;.r.v. the IJyasaiand Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce.