THE SECRET OF DENMARK'S SUCCESS [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.] SIR,-1---I have read with great interest the third article, entitled "Scandinavia," which recently appeared in the Spectator.
In it you point out how Danish farmers by their thoroughness and industry show an example to their British confreres. We British farmers could do just as well, if not better, than Danish if only we had a Government which would help us in a reason- able way.
A short time back, when there was such a glut of pigs on the market that pig-breeders were selling them at a loss, Danish bacon and even pigs were being imported. In Denmark the Government affords special facilities in the way Of transport for live-stock and farm produce, in the shape of light railways which connect the farms with the main lines, and thus afford facilities for marketing produce which naturally act as a stimulus to production. The secret of Denmark's success is the fact that the staple industry of the country is agriculture and the bulk of the population dependent upon it for their livelihood. In England only a small minority is interested in farming, and consequently this minority is unable to make itself felt by the politicians. Mr. Lloyd George, with his schemes for "rare and refreshing fruit," made the farmer's yoke heavy, but subsequent legislators have added to the burden, and now master and man alike contribute 9d. for insurance benefits from which the farmer can derive no possible benefit.
Politicians under our Parliamentary system are bound to consider the measures which will bring them popularity with the electors. Can one therefore blame them for regarding agriculture from a political instead of a national point of view ? One party is much the same as another as far as the farmer is
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