324 ENGLISH AGRICULTURAL LABOURER. 



higher than 38s. 1 The Order took effect from April 19, 

 and Proposals were made for proportionate higher scales 

 for male workers under 21 and for women, (vide Appendix) 2 



On the publication of the Proposal with the . meagre 

 increase in the minimum wage, trouble immediately broke 

 out in Lancashire and Essex. West Lancashire once 

 again became the storm-centre and a strike on March 20 

 was averted only by the farmers and workers coming 

 to an agreement for a standard wage of 3 a week, which 

 is the highest regular rate of payment for agricultural 

 labour in England. 



Despite the fact that farms had been worked during the 

 "War with at least 100,000 fewer male workers, agriculture 

 was the one industry which could show an increase in pro- 

 duction. Even before the War (1911) the stockman was 

 tending twice the number of cattle that he looked after 

 in 1871. 3 



Almost simultaneously the Government announced the 

 fact that in view of the serious decline of the wheat area 

 since last year, they would guarantee the farmer the average 

 world price of imported wheat up to a maximum of 955. per 

 quarter of 504 lb., for 1920, and loos, for 1921 ; and at 

 the same time announced their intention to introduce a 

 Bill early in the session to carry into effect the recom- 

 mendation of the Royal Commission on Agriculture, that 

 minimum prices should be based upon and varying with the 

 cost of production as a continuous policy, subject to four 

 years' notice, before it can be withdrawn. 



In the previous month Lord Lee intimated to the Chair- 

 man of the Royal Commission on Agriculture, that the Prime 

 T-.IinisUr was advising his Majesty to release the Commission 

 from its duties and to bring its proceedings to a close. This 

 letter followed after the resignations of seven members of 

 the Commission had taken place seven members who had 

 apparently grown weary of well-doing. The sixteen re- 

 maining members, including all the Scotch and Welsh 

 members, had decided to continue to sit and to carry out 



1 Vide Appendix IV of complete schedule of all counties. 



2 A proposal fora further increase of .\'- a week on all minima rates was 

 Tn;uk- by the A. W.B. on the 3rd June, i<j2->, bringing the minimum to .}6-/- 



' \Vagcs and Conditions of Emphyment in Agriculture. Cd. 24, 1919. 



