§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the success of any tillage scheme largely depends on the question of labour and the rate of payment for same; is he aware- 282W that all classes in Ireland are in agreement as regards an increase in the present standard of wages for the agricultural labourers, and are only waiting for the Government to take action in the matter by the calling of conferences in each county which will be representative of farmers and labourers, with an impartial arbitrator; and will immediate steps be taken to put the scheme into effect, and thus get rid of the block which stands in the way of any successful prosecution of the food production scheme?
§ Mr. DUKEMeetings organised by various county committees of agriculture at the request of the Department of Agriculture are at present being held for the consideration of the question of available labour. The Department will be glad to co-operate in any voluntary action for securing fair wages to labourers. A compulsory minimum wage for agricultural labourers could only be introduced by means of legislation, and, in order to be made effective, would seem to require a compulsory provision of employment.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, on the question of exemptions under the tillage scheme, due regard will be given to the dairying industry and to those counties in Ireland which largely supply the markets with butter and milk; whether last year there was an increase in the export of new milch cows; is he aware that the imposing of 10 per cent, additional tillage on those already tilling in dairying counties will mean that for every acre tilled in addition to last year the farmer will have to sell off a milch cow which will mean a loss to the community; and, in view of the necessity for the upkeep of the dairying industry, will adequate steps be taken to protect it from penalisation whilst bullock ranching districts are let off almost un-penalised.
§ Mr. DUKEDue regard is being given to dairying interests. Grass lands in the vicinity of towns which were used in 1916, and are to be used in 1917 solely for grazing mileh cows for the supply of towns with a population exceeding 10,000, will be exempt from extra tillage. Last year there was a decrease from 60,766 to 53,136 in the number of milch cows and springers exported from Ireland. The Department of Agriculture are of opinion that extra tillage in dairying counties will not necessarily cause a decrease in the number of milch cows.
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§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why an ordinary farmer in Ireland who has already done his duty on the question of tillage at inconvenience to himself is being now compelled to till 10 per cent, extra, whilst the rancher who pays no annuity and who has surplus capital behind him, and who employs no labour whatever, is not put on the same level; whether he is aware that the wealthy rancher has a better opportunity of increasing tillage by being in a position to buy the most up-to-date machinery; and, in view of the hardship and unfairness of the 10 per cent, extra to the land already tilled, he will see that this clause is withdrawn, and at least show to the average farmer in Ireland that he will get similar treatment to the ranchers?
§ Mr. DUKEIn the view of the Department of Agriculture, the farmr who has already carried on tillage is as a rule in a much better position to secure the extra cultivation required than the man who has not previously tilled, and who in many cases has neither the equipment for nor experience of tillage operations. The area stipulated in the regulation is estimated to be that which it would be practicable for a farmer so situated to accomplish this season.
§ Mr. P. WHITEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether district councils will be enabled to buy motor ploughs to cultivate land untilled by the owners to the extent of 10 per cent, for the benefit of labourers in the district?
§ Mr. DUKEThe suggestion made by the hon. Member will be considered in the event of the Department of Agriculture delegating their powers of compulsory tillage to a local authority.