AID TO AGRICULTURE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19337, 29 May 1937, Page 5

AID TO AGRICULTURE

BIG GRANTS IN BRITAIN PROPOSALS OF MINISTER INCREASING PRODUCTION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 27. An important statement on the British Government's proposals lor increasing tho productivity of agriculture, with a view both to the requirements of defence and of establishing the industry on a sounder economic foundation in peacetime, was made in the House of Commons at question time by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. \V. S.' Morrison.

Estimated to cost a maximum of £3,5C0,C00 and a minimum of ,£1.,470,000 per annum, the proposals include a largescale comprehensive, campaign for the eradication of animal diseases, involving the centralisation of public veterinary services, the extension of grants by the Exchequer for land drainage, assistance to farmers in raising the Fertility of the soil, stimulation of wheat-growing, and the giving of additional insurance to wheatgrowers in the event of a new fall in the price of wheal, and schemes in respect, of oats and barley, also in the nature of an insurance to growers against low prices. Mr. Morrison prefaced a detailed de. scription of the scheme with an explanation of the Government's decision regarding its agricultural policy in relation to the problems of defence. Help in Emergency

He said that, in the opinion of the Government, to put agriculture on ;* war-time footing with all the regimentation for the farming community, and the heavy cost that it would involve, would not "bo practicable at present, nor was the situation such as to require the adoption of this course in time of peace. The 'erovernment was usually satisfied that the considerations of national defence did not justify a policy in peace time of stimulating agricultural production to such a pitch that the country would be faced with a highly artificial situation, which would, sooner or later, have to be liquidated, if an emergency did not arise.

Tho Government had decided that the best course was to continue its efforts to improve general prosperity and efficiency of home, agriculture, and, in particular, to promote an increase in the fertility and the productivity of the soil. The proposals were so designed that, should an emergency arise, the country would be in a position immediately to take advantage of the improved fertility.

Mr. Morrison intimated that the neces sary legislation to give, effect to the Government's proposals would be introducod at the earliest possible moment. In giving separate answers, the Minister foreshadowed an early announcement of proposals for the future of the milk and pig industries.