“TIRED OF DENMARK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 388, 23 June 1928, Page 27

“TIRED OF DENMARK”

BRITISH FARMERS In an address given to the Debating Society of the Midland Agricultural College on March 19, Mr. C. S. Orwin, M.A.. said the responsibility for the development of British agriculture rested on the tenant. The tendency was to increase the size of the holding, and large holdings with much greater use of machinery constituted the great hope of agriculture in this country. This would improve the condition of rural workers, who are at present too scattered and disorganised to have any power in the industry. The Minimum Wage Act had done a great deal to improve the economic position of the farm worker, but he was still comparatively ill-paid. It was the wage system of English agriculture which had put them in a very had position when compared with other countries. European agriculture was mostly peasant industry, and production is therefore much less expensive. In reply to a query as to the best way of meeting foreign competition, such as from Denmark, Mr. Orwin said be was tired of Denmark. He pointed out that the Danish agricultural position was supported entirely by Free Trade in this country—a ten per cent, duty on imported agricultural produce would ruin all the farmers in Denmark. The Danes ate margarine and billed their fat sows for themselves, but they sent their butter and their best bacon to England.