Arizona republican., 1911-05-03
ENGLAND WILL SOLVE
DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS
COMMISSION APPOINTED TO RE-
CLAIM UNoccUPIEo LANDS. I
Parliament Passes important Bill Az
ter Study of American
Methods.

Chicago, Ill, May Confronting
problems analogous to those encoun-
tered by the United States Department
of Agriculture and by experiment sta
ton workers in this country, and
guided i'm the venture to no small ex-
tent by citing American experiences
and results, Great Britain is formu-
latng plans for the greater develop
ment of the economic resources OF the
United Kingdom by means of govern
ment aid. This move in England. one
of the most comprehensive of the kind
ever undertaken by any nation, is of
much interest TO those i'm this coun-
try who are Interested in and familiar
with the American methods of stimu-
lating agricultural advancement.
The plans are the result of an act
of parliament knswn as the Develop
ment and Road Improvement act. Al
though not restricted to agriculture,
the act seems likely to lead to far
reaching benefits to that industry.
Having studied the methods of the
American Department of Agriculture
and the United States Reclamation
Service, which was created for the
benefit of the people through the
efforts OF the National Irrigation Con-
gress, the British idea is to enlarge
to considerable extent upon Ameri-
can methods, one of the first provi-
siOns Of the act providing for a board
of development commissioners, upon
whose recommendations advances may
be made from the treasury.
These advances may be employed
for the aiding and developing of agri-
culture and rural industries, forestry,
the reclamation and drainage of UNI
occupied lands. the general con-
struction and Improvement of rural
transportation, the construction and
Improvement of harbors and inland
navigation, the development and i'm
prOvement of fisheries and for any
other purpose which the commission
ers decide will promote the economic
development of the United Kingdom.
The funds available for this work
consist of what is known as the con-
solidated fund. for which the new act
appropriates the sum of s2,50O.O0O an
nually for five years. To this, how
ever may be added any special APP
preparations which may be made sub
sequently. or any gifts or legacies
which may be forthcoming. The fund
is available until used and any rev
enue derived from such sources as in
terest or profits i'm the repayments of
loans or the sale OF farm products may
also be utilized.
The commissioners constitute the
administrative body in charge of the
fund. There are five of these COM
missioners, appointed by King George
for terms of ten years each. the ten
ure being so devised that the term of
one member expires every two years.
Two of the commissioners may re
ceive salaries not to exceed $4,000
per year each.
The term agriculture and rural in
dustries, as used in the act, is subse
quently defined as including agricul-
ture, horticulture, dairying, the breed
ing Of horses, cattle and other live
stock, the cultivation and preparation
of flax. the cultivation and manufac-
ture OF tobacco, and any industries
Immediately connected with or sub
servient to any of these. The lines
of development open also include the
promoting of scientific research, in
struction and experiments i'm the sci
ence, methods and practices of agri-
culture. the organization of co-operat-
ing bodies, instruction in marketing
produce and the extension of the pro-
vision of small holdings Forestry
work likewise may include expert
ments, the teaching of methods of af-
forestation and the actual purchase
and planting of lands
The road improvement clause pro-
vides for the appointment by the
treasury of a road board distinct from
the development commissioners. No
funds are directly appropriated for
this work. but provision is made for
borrowing money from the CONSOLE
dated fund or from any other avail
able source. the sums so obtained to
he repaid from the road Improvement
grant.
The various provisions of the act
make il apparent that broad discre-
tionary powers are vested i'm the de-
velopment commissioners. and that the
results obtained will be largely influ-
enced by their decisions regarding the
and the way in which the work is to
be conducted AS would be expected,
keen interest has been manifested in
the move throughout England and the
applications for aid have already been
so general that a statement has been
issued that the grants already sought
would involve, if granted, an eXpendi-
ture three times greater than the sum
available.
The development of one industry
has been given aid, this industry be-
ing considered one of the more i'm
portant of all of England's immediate
needs This is the encoura cement of
light horse breeding. which is of par
ticular Importance to Great Britain
because Of the requirements of the
British army. now largely met by i'm
portations of foreign stock. A grant
of 100000 has been made for this
year for such Investigations and en-
enlargement as that fund will pro-
vide
The utilization of portion of the
fund for agricultural instruction and
research has not yet been definitely
provided for, but is understood to be
receiving much consideration. The
dacirabiIitX of SIich aid seems tO be