BRITISH AGRICULTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1934, Page 4

BRITISH AGRICULTURE.

Half the trouble in this world, it is said, arises from a lack of understanding of the other ’fellow's point of view. And applying the principle of this truism to modern times, it might well be said that much of the resentment in New Zealand against quotas on our butter and cheese exported to Britain is due to an incomplete appreciation of Britain’s attitude and its reasons. In. a general sort of way it is known that Britain wishes to assist and put fresh life into her agricultural and pastoral industry; that one of the most important means adopted was the restriction of imports of produce from both foreign and Dominion sources; and that another important method was the introduction of the co-operative milk marketing scheme. But why should Britain be taking such particular care of her farmers? The question is ably answered in a recent issue of the Round Table. There is nothing to be ashamed of in this design, comments the Round Table. The Dominions protect their secondary industries against United Kingdom as well as foreign manufactures, and there are many reasons why an an—alagous policy should be followed in regard to British Agriculture. First, it is one of the largest and most important of British industries, in spite of Britain’s reputation as a manufacturing country, and it has suffered more disastrously than almost any other from the world depression. Secondly, to depend more than is absolutely necessary on outside sources of food supply is a grave strategic weakness in case of war. “But perhaps the argument that most appeals to the individual citizen,” says the Round Table, “is an aesthetic and sentimental one. An England without a smiling, tilled and tended countryside would be a prospect worth a big sacrifice to avoid.” There are, of course, many other reasons, and to enumerate their pros and cons would make a page of this paper, but the one to which the Round Table attaches most importance is a somewhat novel one to many people in New Zealand. Only those who have lived in Britain can realise the strength of national sentiment in that reputed “nation of shopkeepers.” It all goes to show how complex is the issue over which many people in the Dominions have taken such a clear-cut and uncompromising stand.