CHAPTER VII 



BRITISH AGRICULTURE 



The shortage both of meat supplies and, to a 

 lesser degree, of dairy produce abroad brings 

 British Agriculture into prominence. For thirty 

 years we have become accustomed to look upon 

 our Oversea supplies of staple foodstuffs as a 

 foundation of our industrial system. The writer 

 remembers reading a speech, 1 made some years 

 ago by Mr. Arthur Balfour, in which, while 

 expressing regret at the unequal competition 

 enforced upon our agriculturists by imports 

 of foreign foodstuffs, expressed the opinion that 

 agricultural prosperity and industrial develop- 

 ment were alternatives. We had chosen the 

 latter. The re-establishment of agriculture, how- 

 ever much to be desired, could only be obtained 

 by a reversal of the whole trend of our economic 

 organisation. At the time Mr. Balfour's summary 

 of the position seemed incontrovertible. In 

 view of the changed circumstances of to-day, 



1 The author has been unable to find the speech in 

 question. The impression made is so distinct that 

 he has felt justified in referring to it. 

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