108 THE BRITISH APPROACH TO POLITICS

sees that the legal standards of health and cleanliness are
maintained; it receives reports of the outbreak of infectious
disease and makes orders to restrict the movement of animals,
or for their destruction. The study of disease led to the general
application of science to agriculture, and to-day the Ministry
runs experimental farms and agricultural colleges, either under
its own control, or through the Agricultural Committees in each
county.

As world trade increased during the 19th century, Britain's
special fitness for industry and commerce was made plain. Her
land was unsuitable for agriculture; but by developing her
industries and importing food from less industrialised countries
she could keep her growing population and give them a rising
standard of life. The repeal, in 1846, of the taxes on imported
wheat was a sign of the way* of life which Britain had chosen.
For some years after that date British agriculture flourished, by
improving its methods; but the development of new lands over-
seas, and the steamship and railway which carried their produce,
were too strong. Since about 1875 British agriculture has lagged
behind other branches of production; the prices of produce and
the wages of workers have been low, and there has been a steady
movement to the towns. The wartime revival ended as soon as
trade resumed its normal course. There are now three reasons
why the Government is inclined to give special attention to
agriculture. First, Britain's export industries have not their old
place in the world's markets, and are therefore less able to
provide her with food; secondly, the fear of war leads her to
consider the possibility of increasing home supplies of food;
and thirdly there are the recent scientific discoveries of the
amount of under-feeding in Britain and of its effect on health.
The attention takes two forms—a concern for the conditions of
agricultural workers, and a series of schemes to give the farmer
a better price for his produce: and the duties of the Ministry
have grown accordingly.

The Worker. An Act passed in 1924 set up Wages Committees