The Land's Fertility The debate in the House of Commons
on Tuesday on the Labour Amendment to the Address concentrated on the position of agriculture ; it was remarkable for the criticism directed at the Government's agricultural policy not only by Labour members but by the Government's supporters. Both agreed, if in nothing else, at least in thinking that agri- culture today was in a worse condition than it had ever been ; Mr. Tom Williams, who opened for the Opposition, empha- sised the real cause for dissatisfaction by alleging that today the fertility of the land was at the same level as in 1913. His contention was that under the existing system of land ownership it was impossible to create the conditions for providing credits, new buildings, modern machinery and equipment which are necessary for any permanent increase in productivity ; he rightly insisted that without such an increase no improvement could be expected except at the expense either of the producer or the consumer. The demands of the Government's Conservative critics for increased protection and subsidies did not touch this funda- mental problem ; but Mr. Wilfred Roberts' proposal that the land should be raised to maximum fertility by the encouragement and development of live-stock farming and " permanent " grass deserves close attention. * * * • *
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