340 



CHAPTER XIII. 



AN AGRICULTURAL PARTY. 



THE third and following paragraphs of the introduction 

 to this book refer to the growing dissatisfaction among 

 agriculturists at their lack of proper representation in Parlia- 

 ment. As the organisation of the Chambers developed this 

 feeling became more pronounced, until in 1907 pointed 

 expression was given to it by the reports of two Committees 

 which were presented to the Council. 



The first one was introduced on 5th November, and after 

 a long and animated debate was referred to local Chambers. 

 The resolutions sent up in response were so overwhelmingly 

 favourable that on llth December a new Committee was 

 appointed (of which Mr. Samuel Kidner was Chairman) 

 to consider further the proposals it contained. This new 

 Committee presented its report on 5th May, 1908, but any 

 good effect it might have had was completely destroyed by 

 the obstruction of a small group of members, who succeeded 

 in inducing the Council to strike out all those words printed 

 in italics in paragraph 9. With these words deleted the report 

 was adopted by 49 votes to 6. 



No further steps were taken by the Representation Com- 

 mittee, and public attention has been too much occupied since 

 by the acute controversies engendered by the large party 

 political measures which the Government have brought for- 

 ward to allow of the calm consideration necessary for con- 

 structing political machinery. 



The two reports mentioned are printed here in extenso, 

 and a pamphlet on the same subject is reproduced as Appendix 

 No. 5. 



