AID FOR HOME AGRICULTURE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 113, 29 May 1937, Page 6

AID FOR HOME AGRICULTURE

Government Proposals Announced INCREASING YIELDS (Britisb OfBclal Wireless.) EUGBY, May 27. An important statement of Government proposals foi increasing the productivity of agriculture, with a view both to defence requirements and establishing the industry on a sounder economic foundation in peace time, was made at Commons question time by the Minister of Agriculture. 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 centrafisation of the public veterinary services, extension of the Ezchequer grants for land drainage, assistance to farmers in raising the fertility of the soil, stimulation of wheatgrowing, and giving additiohal insurance to wheatgrowers in the event of a new fall in wheat prices, and schemes in respect of oats and barley, also in 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 xegarding agricultural policy in relation to problems of defence. He said that, in the opinion of the Government, to put agriculture on- a war-timo footing with all the regimentation for a farming community and the heavy cost it would involve, would not be practicaJ at present, nor was the situation such is to Tequire adoption of this course in times of peace. The Government was usually satisfied that considerations oi aational defence did not justify a policy in peace time of stimulating agricultural production to such a pitch that tbe country would be faced with a highly artificial situation, which would sooner or later have to be liquidated if an emergency did not.arise. The Government had deeided that tho oest course was to continue the efforts to improve the general prosperity and efficieney of home agriculture and, in particular, to promote increase in the fertility and productivity of the soil. The proposals were so designed that, should an emergency arise, the countr\ would be in a position immediately to take advantage of tho improved fertility. Mr. Morrison intimated that thc necessary legislatidn to give effect to the Government 's proposals would? bc introduced at the earliest possible m'oment. In separate answers the Minister foreshadowed an early announcement of proposals for the future of the milk and pig i-idustries. /