THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 249 



any further views of the Chambers might be submitted in 

 writing. A further resolution was accordingly passed in 

 November, which Mr. Richard Paget (Chairman) conveyed 

 to the Prime Minister, and explained to him the general 

 opinions of the Central Chamber on the subject. 



In February, 1883, cordial support was given to the pro- 

 posal of the Royal Commission for a Minister of Agriculture. 

 At the April meeting much interest was aroused by the j . 

 announcement that the Government gave official recognition 

 to the Lord President of the Council as the Minister for 

 Agriculture, and that they proposed to appoint a special 

 committee of the Privy Council, consisting of Lord Carling- 

 ford, Lord Spencer, Lord Kimberley, Lord Rosebery, Lord 

 Carrington, Mr. Dodson, and Mr. Shaw-Lefevre, to act as a 

 Committee for Agriculture. 



The appointment of this Committee gave but little satis- 

 faction, and in February, 1887, a resolution was unanimously 

 adopted urging the Prime Minister to form a fully equipped 

 Department of Agriculture without further delay. Mr. 

 Paget had given notice of an amendment to the Address in 

 the House of Commons, but he was prevented from moving 

 it by a blocking motion put down by a Liberal member 

 much in sympathy with the Irish party. This was apparently 

 done in retaliation for another blocking motion which had 

 prevented an Irish member moving some resolution on 

 " jury-packing." 



In March, 1888, the Council repeated its request for the 

 speedy formation of the Department. In the debate on the 

 motion Mr. James Lowther made one of his typical speeches. 

 He " entirely endorsed the resolution, but they should not 

 attach too much importance to the institution of the Depart- 

 ment. He had never attached the slightest importance 

 to it at all. He thought it would do no harm, and possibly 

 circumstances might arise under which it might do a slight- 

 amount of good." However, the resolution was carried with 

 some enthusiasm and with unanimity. During the summer 

 the question was raised in the House of Lords by the Chair- 

 man (Lord Jersey) and in the House of Commons by Mr. 



