AIDING BRITISH FARMERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19133, 30 September 1936, Page 15

AIDING BRITISH FARMERS

£20,000,000 PROPOSAL LEVY ON FOOD IMPORTS LONDON. Aug. 19. A proposal to create a central fund of about £20,1100,1)00 for the assistance and development of the agricultural industry is being diyussed by fanners. One of the claims made for the scheme, which comes from the Scottish Chamber, of Agriculture, is that it might, lower prices Io the consumer. The fund, which -would abolish all subsidies, and possibly, it is said, quoins and oilier limitation's of imports as well, would be created by a levy on competitive agricultural imports. This would be earmarked for the central fund instead of going to the Treasury. It would amount Io about £20,000.000, the estimate for the cost of agricultural subsidies in i{.i3s-,'Hl being £17,6,10,000. Tu administer the* fund there would be a permanent agricultural commission composed of three members appointed by the Government. Their duty would be to allocate to the various branches of agriculture such sums as from time to time seemed necchsary to make each form of production equally attractive, and to correct the present tendency towards piecemeal assistance. Premiums would be set upon quality production, and the levy f,ould be varied to favour certain imports ;*r give preferonce to the Dominions.

The fund, would, also be used to promote agricultural research and development, generally.

All these committees would lie appointed by the Government after consultation with the interesl.s concerned; practical businc:-.- knowledge and adiiunistrulive ability would be Ihe chief qualifications for membership.

The scheme was submitted to the Scottish chamber by Mr. W. F. Bosomwort h, of Edinburgh.