Wanganui Chronicle. THURSDAYM, FEBRUARY 4, 1926. BRITISH AGRICULTURE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19504, 4 February 1926, Page 6

Wanganui Chronicle. THURSDAYM, FEBRUARY 4, 1926. BRITISH AGRICULTURE

The issue of an outline of the British Government’s agricultural policy is an important event. The cablegram in which the proposals are summarised is brief, but. sufficiently explicit to show that the Government contemplates a serious effort to meet changing conditions. Various circumstances, with high taxation in the forefront, have been conspiring to dispossess the old landed aristocracy, and the tenant farmers have necessarily been affected. The problem for the nation is to maintain the great industry of agriculture, and the Government has to recognise that security of tenure and the provision of financial assistance are essential.

During the war the people of Britain realised that the decay of agriculture had led them into danger. They had allowed production from the soil to decline until they had become too largely dependent upon outside sources for their supplies of food. Patriotic and economic impulses combined to bring about a. great agricultural revival, but it lasted little longer than the war. Last year Great Britain produced less wheat, meat and dairy produce than she did in any of the immediate pre-war years, and the Government finds that, private enterprise is not capable of improving the position. Public aid must be made available if the country’s fertile soil is to be put to its propel’ use. The Government’s first remedy is described as the preparation of a scheme on a sound commercial basis for short term credits for land improvements and purchase. British farmers and would-be farmers, like those in New Zealand, require capital; speculation and the high cost of materials have created in Britain difficulties very similar to those experienced in this country. The “Daily Express” a few days ago reported that the Cabinet’s policy was likely to be based on the formation of a central land mortgage corporation, to be established with, the co-operation of the joint stock banks. In the past the banks have not accepted such securities as crops, but the corporation would make advances, thus providing the farmers with the working capital they require.

The development of small holdings is a prominent feature of the new policy. Presumably the intention is to substitute for the old tenant system a scheme of what is called occupying ownership. The security of the small freehold—a powerful incentive to progress, as we know in New Zealand—would be a vast improvement on the old uncertainty of the tenant, farmer. Britain’s Continental neighbours have achieved great success with their policy of small holdings, and the British people may well profit by the experience of such countries as Denmark, Holland and France.

The new policy is to assist both afforestation and the sugar beet, industry, to promote agricultural research, and to finance important drainage schemes. Mention is made also of the marketing of home-grown produce, the idea being that the Mother County should receive equivalent treatment to that accorded the Dominions’ products. The bare details that are available certainly indicate that the Government is formulating a comprehensive policy, which should materially advance the interests of British agriculture.