27 DECEMBER 1930, Page 2

It might seem so far that the Marketing Boards have

it all their own way—that they will be able to use their monopoly of marketing to the public injury. But here come in the Committee of Consumers and the Com- mittee of Investigation to correct the balance. The controlling hand of the Ministry in the background is seen again in the treatment of laggard producers. The Minister may appoint Commissions to create schemes " for the consideration " of farmers who have done nothing. Obviously in the early stages everything will depend upon the voluntary response of the farmers. If the measure should produce the co-operative spirit which everybody desires in the abstract, but which has never yet appeared in this country, the benefit will be immense. It would be superfluous to say much about other aspects of the Bill until there has been time to watch the unfolding of events.

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