Brigadier-General BROWNasked the Minister of Agriculture, whether, in view of the very serious crisis with which the agricultural industry in this country is faced, the Government proposes to introduce immediately a Bin incorporating the recommendations contained in the Interim Report of the Agricultural Tribunal of Investigation?
§ Major BARNSTONhave been asked to reply. In view of the short time since the Report was issued and the importance, financial and otherwise, of the question involved, the Government are not prepared to make any comprehensive statement at the present time. With regard to railway rates, the Government are of opinion that the railway companies are in a position to reduce rates drastically. The remedy, however, lies in the hands of the industry itself, which can make an application to the Railway Rates Tribunal established by Parliament for such cases. In this connection meetings between the parties are being arranged, and the Ministry of Agriculture has expressed its willingness to give any1312W assistance in its power. With regard to hops, the Government does not adopt the recommendations of the tribunal. A little time will be necessary to ascertain what will be the probable future consumption of beer. The present control will continue till 1925. The Government recognises the claims of the hop-growers, and before the expiration of the control will deal with the question. With regard to local rates, it has been decided that the Road Fund surplus, amounting probably to over £1,250,000, should be devoted to relief of rates for the upkeep of rural roads. The Government also intends, pending proposals for dealing with the whole rates question, to introduce a Bill this Session to reduce the assessment of agricultural land from one-half to one-quarter, making good the difference by an Exchequer grant. This would be in addition to the proposal as to the Road Fund.