In the Lords on Monday Lord Addington urged on the
Government the need of coming to the rescue of the hop industry. It was, he argued, a matter of national concern, and the damage done to the British growers by the enormous importation of foreign hops rendered legislation necessary. The Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking from
local knowledge, declared that the condition of the industry inspired him with. the gravest apprehension, and urged the Government to make • a statement which would allay the existing anxiety. Lord Harris supported, the Motion, while Lord Eversley appealed to the House to defer judgment until the 'Committee appointed to deal with the subject had issued its Report. Lord Carrington replied for the Govern. ment. He admitted that the question was serious, and stated that the Government were prepared to accept Lord Adding. ton's Motion. He hoped; however, that the Committee's Report would be ready in a few weeks, but, in any case; the Government could not entertain the suggestion of a duty on hops, which was a proposal to tax raw materials and food. Lord Lansdowne, who followed, expressed his conviction that the crisis was due to the dumping of foreign hops, but stated his readiness to hold his hand until the Com- mittee bad reported, and the Motion was agreed to without a division.
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