Land Problems and National Welfare 



argument in favour of the independent party 

 which I reprint here, with his permission. 



THE AGRICULTURAL PARTY 



A REPLY TO CRITICISMS, BY A. H. H. MATTHEWS 



Those who oppose the formation of an In- 

 dependent Agricultural Party in the House of 

 Commons ostensibly base their objections on 

 three grounds : — (i) That it is unnecessary ; (2) 

 that it is impracticable ; and (3) that it is un- 

 desirable, dne of the most able opponents 

 thinks it is unnecessary because (he says) every 

 possible benefit which could accrue from the 

 formation of a Parliamentary group is obtain- 

 able by drafting Bills, and by only returning 

 those candidates to Parliament who definitely 

 pledge themselves to support these Bills. I 

 will answer this point first. 



Others say it is unnecessary, because an 

 Agricultural Committee already exists in the 

 House, and that that Committee, and the 

 general desire of members representing agri- 

 cultural constituencies to look well after that 

 industry, is all that is required. This will be 

 the second point dealt with. 



Let us assume that half a dozen Bills are 

 drafted, dealing with as many definite subjects, 

 and that we are on the eve of a general 

 election. These Bills are to be launched at 

 the heads of all candidates, and only those 



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