208 



based on the figures of production, exports anil im- 

 ports, is about 23 million tons: the deficit which would 

 have to be made up from sources outside the British 

 Empire is about one million tons, so that in normal 

 years it could supply its own requirements to the ex- 

 tent of 96 per cent. 



At 'first this sinallness of the demand on outside 

 parties for wheat supplies made it possible for the Gov- 

 ernment to acquiesce to a programme of Imperial Pre- 

 ference, and there was considerable enthusiasm over 

 the project, but later on the same causes led to cold 

 water being thrown on the suggestions, Dreeisely be- 

 cause it was not worth while to worry about excluding 

 such small participation, especially as it was remarked 

 that it was dangerous to rely on limited sources of sup- 

 ply, and in any case since many of the British invest- 

 ments had been made with the object of securing ade- 

 quate supplies from other lands, these would be seri- 

 ously affected. Finally while it was admitted that it 

 was desirable to develop the British Empire to the ut- 

 most of its resources, at the same time it was declared 

 that this should not affect other countries wnich had 

 built up a trade relying on England maintaining a 

 continuous policy in their respect, and with 'his argu- 

 ment the cry over Empire wheat ended. 



We then come back to the fact that as far as other 

 competitors are concerned we stand on the same foot- 

 ing. Not on our own merits, it is true, but because of 

 the traditional sane policy adopted by England regard- 

 ing foreign trade. 



r 



WILL WAR MEASURES INFLUENCE 

 OUR TRADE ? 



In regard to the question of imports in England 

 being influenced by the favoured conditions ruling for 

 homle produce, we know that English farmers enjoy a 

 special price, guaranteed them by the Goverrment. 



The prices guaranteed were, per quarter of 480 

 Ibs. and 300 Ibs. respectively: 



1917-18 1918-19 1920-22 



Wheat 60|- 55|- 45!- 



Oats 38|6 32|- 241- 



Potatoes 6 per ton. 



Actual prices ruling average, 1918: Wheat 90|-; 

 Barley 71|4; Oats 56J-; Potatoes 12. 



These guaranteed prices are to extend over a pe- 

 riod of years, to the year 1922, so that the English 



