1921.] 



The Agriciltural Council for England. 



913 



to those attributed to the German x\gricultural Council." I do 

 not Kke to think that this Council has been designed on a 

 German model, but at the same time we must not be above 

 learning even from our enemies. I have been looking at that 

 paper of Sir Thomas Middleton's on the German Agricultural 

 Council. I am glad -to say we have not adopted its colossal 

 German name, nor do I hope that we shall have the honour 

 that that Council had of being addressed at intervals by the 

 , Kaiser himself. But, ladies and gentlemen, there is one observa- 

 tion in that paper which I think we might lay to heart and iti 

 is this: — The great respect which the German Agricultural 

 Council enjoys to-day, not merely in agricultural circles, but 

 amongst administrative bodies is due to the extreme thorough- 

 ness which is characteristic of its ^leetings. its resolutions, and 

 its publications." I think that is a model which vre might not 

 be ashamed to follow, even if it be of foreign pattern. 



As I see the functions of this Council they are two-fold ; at 

 least, they would certainly have a two-fold advantage to agricul- 

 ture, and to the State. In the first place, I think it is recognised 

 now b}^ everyone that it is very advisable that Government 

 Departments, Administrative Departments, bureaucratic depart- 

 ments as they are sometimes described, should be kept in the 

 closest possible touch with instructed public feeling and opinion 

 with regard to the matters with which the Departments have to 

 deal. I am sure they always try to do so, and have always tried 

 to do so. But it is not always easy. The public view filters into 

 them through many official channels, and they may not always 

 get the real article. Therefore, I think it is in the first place 

 of the utmost advantage to the Government Department con- 

 cerned to have an opportunitv of receiving regularly, and fresh 

 from the source outside, instructed opinion with regard to the 

 particular business of the Department : and there is no way in 

 which that can better be done than by coming in contact fre- 

 quently and regularly with a Council such as this representing 

 the industry in every part of the country. On the other hand, 

 I think it is an important thing for the pubhc and those engaged 

 in representing the interests of a great industry such as agri- 

 culture in this country, to come in contact with the Department 

 and to realise, what sometimes is difficult to realise, the special 

 difficulties with which any Government Department is confronted 

 in doing its best for the industry for which it is responsible. 

 Governments have their difficulties and their worries like other 

 people. They are naturally more exposed to criticism, and 



