640 
Botes, Communications, anfc 
IReviews. 
THE REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON 
THE HOP INDUSTRY. 
A .select committee wag .appointed in the last session of Parliament, 
in consequence of the complaints and representations of many hop- 
planters, to inquire into the causes which have produced the steady 
decrease in the acreage of land under hop cultivation, and the serious 
displacement of labour occasioned thereby, and to report as to the 
best means, if any, of providing a remedy. 
'The Committee was strong, composed of practical men, several 
of whom represent hop producing districts and have a considerable 
knowledge of the details of hop cultivation, and was presided over by 
the Rt. Hon. G. Shaw-Lefevre, who is well posted up in the subject. 
Every point was taken and duly weighed. The witnesses were well 
chosen, so that not only was the hop-planting interest directly and 
fully represented, but also collateral interests, as of brewers, hop- 
factors, and hop-merchants. Scientific, chemical, evidence also was 
given by distinguished chemists, mainly, however, upon the question 
of substitutes for hops alleged to be used by brewers. 
It will be said by all who read the proceedings of this Com- 
mittee that it was a careful and exhaustive investigation, though 
the conclusion arrived at is not satisfactory to the producers of hops, 
nor perhaps logically deducible from the main evidence given by 
them, which pointed unmistakably to Protection. Impartial persons 
stated their belief, when the appointment of this Select Committee 
was first announced, that nothing in the shape of relief to the hop- 
planters could possibly come from its proceedings. No Committee 
of the House of Commons, unless specially packed for the purpose, 
would deliberately recommend the imposition of a duty upon foreign 
hops ; and this, in the opinion of the majority of the witnesses, is 
the only way in which relief could be afforded, though it is certain 
that in the course of a very few years the increase of the home acre- 
age consequent upon a protective duty would again bring about 
over-production and low, unremunerative prices. 
W illi regard to a duty upon foreign hops the Committee 
say :— 
