1921.] The Agricultural Council for ENCiiAND, 



915 



only by the one desire to see that every section of the industry 

 is adequately represented so far as the constitution of the Council 

 will permit, and in making my choices I have considered the 

 individual far more than I have considered any organisation. 

 I attach much more importance to men than I do to measures or 

 even to organisations, and in the choices I have made I have 

 tried to select those individuals who seem to me qualified, either 

 by their special knowledge, experience and reputation, or some- 

 times by geographical considerations. I think it is important 

 that the various parts of the country should be as well repre- 

 sented as possible, but I have been animated by these motives 

 in making my choices and not by any consideration of whether 

 individuals belong to this or that organisation. I am aware 

 that I am exposed to criticism on that point, but I thought it 

 just as well to explain to the Council at the start the principle 

 upon which I proceeded. 



I do not know whether it was expected that on an occasion 

 of this -kind I should make any statement to the Council with 

 regard to agricultural poKcy. Let me say at once I do not 

 propose to do so, because this is, after all, an inaugural Meeting. 

 It is not a Meeting, and never will be a Meeting, called together 

 for the purpose of hearing the views of the Minister of Agricul- 

 ture, unless he is asked by the Council to give them on any 

 particular question which you are inclined to discuss. It is, if 

 I understand aright, your business to select the subjects which 

 you wish to discuss and to call upon, when need be, the Minister 

 of Agricalture. or any representative of the Department, to give 

 you information, to explain w^hat is being done, and to listen 

 to any views and advice that you may be prepared to give. 

 Therefore. I do not propose to say a word about agricultural 

 policy to-day. You are aware what the agricultural policy of 

 the Government is at the present moment. It is at present on 

 the rack in their Lordships' House. It emerged breathless from 

 the Second Reading last night, and my labours are by no means 

 concluded. But there are many other questions affecting agri- 

 cultural policy which will come up from now onwards, and this 

 Council. I think, affords an opportunity for agriculturists of 

 all sections to join together in considering and formulating what 

 future policies may be in the interests of the industry. I feel 

 certain that this Council, constituted as it is, and animated as it 

 is. will, in all circumstances, put the National interest before 

 any sectional interest of this or that side of the industry. You 

 are. as you are well aware, a perfectly independent body, free 



