The Second Annual Report of the Development Commis- sioners has
been issued as a Parliamentary Paper. During the year 110 applications -were received under the head- ing of Agriculture and Rural Industries. Out of a total sum of £867,385 applied for, £160,400 was recommended by the Commissioners, though in some cases the items were only a first instalment. With regard to beet-growing, they were obliged to abandon the project of Government aid on being advised by the Foreign Office and Board of Trade that it would involve an infraction of our treaty obligations. They have, however, recommended the Treasury to grant a sum— probably £70,000 spread over ten years—to encourage tobacco- growing in Ireland. In this context we note the rejection by the Commissioners of Mr. T. W. Russell's scheme for assisting agricultural co-operation in Ireland, and their recom- mendation of a grant of 22,000 to the Irish Agricultural Organization Society, with prospective further grants, on the understanding that the work of the Society is confined to purely agricultural co-operation and is carried on without political partisanship. The estimate for expenditure up to March 31st, 1916, includes £450,000 for harbours, £350,000 for education and research in forestry and afforestation, a possible 2250,000 for horse-breeding, £50,000 or more for the organization of co-operative agriculture, 270,000 for the development of rural industries, and £900,000 for a great scheme of agricultural teaching and research in the three kingdoms.
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