Mr. Lloyd George's speech on agriculture was a powerful and,
for the most part, a restrained performance. He chaffed Mr. Chamberlain on having reverted unconsciously to Free Trade doctrines without understanding them, and there was one telling thrust at Sir Thomas Inskip. But the greater part of his remarks consisted of an elaborate disserta- tion upon the decline in the agricultural population and the diminishing fertility of the soil. He was listened to with more than usual attention, especially when he recalled the vital importance of food supplies in determining the outcome of the Great War. He suggested that in the next war aerial bombardment might prove far more effective than the sub- marine campaign in destroying food-carrying ships. It was for this reason that he deplored that the Government had not taken a stronger line with regard to the bombing of ships off the coast of Spain. This momentary digression into foreign affairs added greatly to the effectiveness of the speech, and for once even the friends of General Franco were silent.