72 



Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



Imports of Fertilizers (Tons of 2,000 lb.). 



Agricultural Policy. 



Mr. Lloyd George addressed in London on the 21st October last 

 a large gathering of farmers and others concerned with agriculture, and 

 outlined the policy which would be pursued by the Imperial Govern- 

 ment with the object of uplifting agriculture in the British Isles. He 

 referred to the decline of agriculture in that country since 18T0, and 

 the causes thereof, and stated that, notwithstanding its present 

 position, and the fact that foodstuffs to the value of £150,000,000 

 which could be raised in country were being imported annually from 

 abroad, agriculture remained their greatest industry. The numbers 

 of those engaged in it, the populations directly dependent upon it, 

 its importance from the point of view of the security of the State, its 

 position as the nursery for workers from which otiier industries of the 

 land have been built up, all pointed to the premier importance of 

 agriculture in the British Isles. By increased agricultural produc- 

 tion, the State would receive as great a sei*vice as that rendered by 

 any other industry, and the present depreciated value of the British 

 sovereign owing to the adverse balance of trade would be removed. 



In order to induce increased cultivation a definite policy was 

 needed, which should include guaranteed security to the cultivator, 

 for " Confidence is the best fertilizer of the soil." This security was, 

 firstly, that of tlie State, so that the farmer will not be ruined by 

 unexpected developments in the outside agricultural world ; secondly, 

 tlie guarantee by tlie landlord of security of tenure of the laud; and, 

 thirdly, the determination of the farmer himself to produce as much 

 as possible. 



" Co-operation," Mr. Lloyd George stated, " is the word for 

 Capital and Labour in all industries at the present moment, and with- 

 out it we shall fail." Credit facilities, transport facilities, scientific 

 State aid, and the regeneration of rural life were also mentioned as 

 matters of vital importance to the successful forward movement of 

 agriculture in the British Isles, and formed part of the Government's 

 agricultural policy. 



* Included with " Artific'.al." 



t Classified as "Artificial." 



