THE ELLIOT POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 November 1934, Page 2

THE ELLIOT POLICY

RESOLUTION OF CONSERVATIVE

CONFERENCE

With one dissentient, the British Conservative Conference carried the following resolution: —“That this conference, while appreciating the steps already taken by the Government for the benefit of agriculture, is desirous of improving the condition of that industry so as to ensure an increased earning power to all those engaged in it, and asks for tariffs on foreign livestock products in addition to import restrictions in order that home production may be increased and the funds thus accruing to the Exchequer may either ease the burden of taxation or provide a deficiency payment if necessary for the maintenance of the marketing schemes.” Mr Walter Elliot, Minister of Agriculture, said the resolution did not run counter to the declared policy of the Government or to many of the schemes which the Government ha'd actually brought forward. The yearly output from British agriculture was £222,000,000, a very large proportion of which went into the consumption of British goods. The whole of the British export and re-export trade to Asia and Africa combined did not come to more than £118,000,000. BROAD-BASED AGRICULTURE The operation of the Agricultural Wages Act, said Mr Elliott had undoubtedly protected the purchasing power of the agricultural labourer, anti of all those engaged in the industry he was the most numerous. He must be encouraged to believe that he was sharing in the industry as a partner, and they were vehemently determined that he should have his fair whack of whatever they could make the industry pay. He agreed that this was no time for the Government to relax their endeavours, in fact they must redouble them to make sure that they succeeded in firmly routing the continued existence of the countryside as part of the life of the nation. Agriculture throughout the country had accepted the Wheat Quota Act as superior to any tariff which might be put on all imported wheat, and he had received no request that this method should be altered. The Government said now, as they had said before, that they went forward with no hidebound convictions on the problem of improving-the conditions of agriculture in Great Britain. They must adopt whatever methods were most appropriate. Agriculture was an industry with many branches, and for many of those branches they believed that regulation of quantity was more effective than regulation by tariff or by levy. They had given their utmost endeavour, especially in recent months, to improve the position of the livestock man, and they had tabled proposals for a levy on imported livestock products. He regarded the resolution not as contrary to the Government or their policy, but as in fact wishing more power to their elbow.