[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—I have been much
interested in the series of articles you have published under this title, and would especially congratulate Mr. Morrell on his section dealing with Danish Agriculture. I agree with what he says, but would point out an omission, due, doubtless, to the fact that he concerns himself with the economic, to the exclusion of the political, side of agriculture. He therefore failed to make clear that politics, in Denmark, are agricultural politics. It could not be otherwise in a country where agriculture is so entirely the dominant industry. The cultivators of the soil have the confidence that they will not be let down by their Government. Whilst I attach just as great importance to the economic side, and to the development of the industry by its own members, as does Mr. Morrell, it is necessary to point out that, unless our farmers have confidence in the Government, they cannot be expected to devote the needed energy to development.
I deprecate the dabbling of agricultural bodies in politics, and trying to come to terms with existing political parties, which are essentially urban in disposition. Such attempts have never been satisfactory. They never will be satisfactory Until we have in Parliament a group of men representing rural England. This is a greater thing than an industrial group, although agriculture is the largest and most vital of all our industries. In no other country is the rural population so small, in proportion, as in Great Britain. Yet in other countries we see Agrarian Parties springing up, as the only way of making ground against urban interests. Our need for such a Party is far greater ! Our rural problems will never be solved by urban politicians, yet upon their wise solution depends the future well-being of the whole nation.—
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