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BRITISH AGRICULTURE Government Assistance Scheme IMPORTANT STATEMENT EYE TO DEFENCE NEEDS [ British Official Wirelew. J Received May 28. 9.55 p.m. RUGBY, May 2?. An important statement of Government proposals for increasing the productivity of agriculture, with a view both to defence requirements and establishing the industry on a sounder economic foundation in pe*ice time, was made at the Commons question time by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. S. Morrison. Estimated to cost a maximum of nearly £3,500,000 and a minimum of £1,470,000 per annum, the proposals include a large-scale comprehensive campaign for the eradication of animal diseases, involving the centralisation of public veterinary services, extension of Exchequer grants for land drainage, assistance to farmers in raising the fertility of soil, stimulation of wheatgrowing and giving additional insurance to wheatgrowers in the event of a new fall in wheat prices, and sthenic in respect to oats and barley also m the nature of insurance to growers against low prices. Mr. Morrison prefaced a detailed description of the scheme with an explanation of the Government’s decision regarding agricultural policy in relation to the problems of defence. He said that in the opinion of the Government, to put agriculture on a war-time footing with all the regimentation of the farming community and the heavy cost it involved, would not be practicable at present, nor was the situation such as required the adoption of this course. In a time of peace the Government was usually satisfied that 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 the emergency did not arise. The Government had decided that the best course was to continue the efforts to improve the genera.’ prosperity and efficiency of home agriculture and in particular to promote an increase in the fertility and productivity of the soil. Their 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 necessary legislation to give effect to the Government’s proposals would be introduced at the earliest possible moment
In separate answers the Minister foreshadowed an early announcement of the proposals for the future of vlie milk and pig industries.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 126, 29 May 1937, Page 9
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398GREATER EFFICIENCY Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 126, 29 May 1937, Page 9
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