In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Sir Arthur Griffith
Boscawen announced—though the public had already learned the news in advance through the newspapers—that the Govern- ment had decided to decontrol agriculture. The Agriculture Act was forced through an autumn session of Parliament last year as a measure in respect of which delay could not possibly be tolerated, and the farmers were told that the pledges which were given to guarantee them against loss on arable farming would not be repealed without four years' notice. We are bound to say that the action of the Government in going back upon this explicit promise is a very serious matter indeed. What industrialist in future will sink his money in some enter- prise which depends upon the promises of the Government 7 The only possible excuse for the Government is that of terrible necessity. It is not, of course, an excuse which in itself anybody can reject.
