§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will take into consideration the advisability of appointing a Produce Commissioner for Ireland with similar functions to those entrusted to the Produce Commissioner representing New Zealand in Great Britain, with a view to look after the transit-market and other facilities necessary to carry on international trade.
(Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) It is not proposed to appoint such a Commissioner. The circumstances of Ireland, which is so near to, and has such rapid means of daily communication with, Great Britain, are entirely different from those of a distant Colony like New Zealand. The transit and marketing of Irish produce are matters to which the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction devote constant attention. The Department take action in various ways with a view to assist Irish producers to develop their trade in Great Britain. For instance, they give instructions in the packing and grading of different kinds of produce, they arrange for exhibits of Irish products at grocers' etc., exhibitions held in various important towns, and thus bring under the notice of British buyers the high quality of Irish agricultural produce and afford the Irish producer an opportunity of new markets for his goods; they give advice as to suitable markets, and help to bring buyers and sellers into communication with each other. Their transit inspectors watch the manner in which the produce is carried both in Ireland and in Great Britain, and a special staff is wholly employed in Great Britain for the detection of frauds affecting the sale of Irish produce. The hon. Member is referred to the Department's Seventh Annual Report for further details as to what is being done in these important matters.