23. Mr. FOOT MITCHELLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers could employ many more hands if lime, marl and fertilisers were more within their means; and whether he can take any steps to cheapen the production of these articles?
Mr. WOODYes, Sir. I am aware that it would be to the advantage of agriculture in this country if larger quantities of lime, marl and fertilisers were used, but my Department has no control over the production of these materials, or the price at which they are sold. At the same time, I would call my hon. Friend's attention to the terms of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, under which loans may be made to farmers societies for the purchase of lime or fertilisers. I would also remind him that the index figure for fertilisers is very much lower than that of agricultural produce, and that for the month of June the average price of fertilisers generally was only 14 per cent. above pre-War.