AGRICULTURE AND ITS POSITION IN THE CABINET.
LTo TH2 EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—It has been stated that an amendment to the Address will be moved in favour of raising the status of the Board of Trade, and that the proposal will be supported by both Front Benches. Certainly a Department of such importance ought to take a higher place in the Administration than it does now, and it is to be hoped that the proposal will be given effect to without loss of time. But it is quite as important that the Agricultural Department should be raised to the same level, and that its head should also be a Secretary of State ; and I sincerely hope that those who are moving on behalf of the Board of Trade will take the opportunity of putting forward agriculture at the same time. Agriculture is the largest and most important industry in the country. It is still the means of producing the largest portion of our food-supply. It is the chief factor in maintaining the physique of the race. It is the parent of many subsidiary industries, and still employs more labour than any other single industry. In these circum- stances it is highly necessary that the Administrative Depart- ment which looks after its welfare should be placed in a position to command the respect, not only of the Government, but of the public. At the present time it is made the laughing- stock of the public, the jade of the politician, and the stalking- horse of one Government after another. The present Government will earn our gratitude by placing our Depart- ment in the position it ought to occupy, and this will go a long way towards regaining for our industry the respect which
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