asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that at its present price barley is not a remunerative crop to the farmer although brewers and maltsters make large profits on it; that, owing to scarcity of artificial manures, the growing of barley is exhausting the fertility of the soil; and whether, having regard to these circumstances, he will now increase the existing price of barley.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Barley.
I do not agree with the suggestion that barley at its present price is not a remunerative crop or that under existing conditions the growing of barley is more exhausting to the soil than the growing of other crops. I am not prepared to increase the existing price of 35/- per barrel for barley.
Now that the Minister has got compulsory wheat, why does he not take control off barley and let barley find its own level and let the brewers pay the full value of barley?
And go down to the price of oats?
It will go up first; that will be something.
Very doubtful.