Agricultural History Review, Volume 58 Part 2 (2010), pp. 236–254

The dislocation caused by the repeal of the Agricultural Act of 1920 had made any agreement, either within farming itself or between the different political parties, as to how the highest economic return might be obtained from the land whilst providing a reasonable livelihood for those engaged in the industry, even more elusive. The White Paper, Agricultural Policy, of 1926 claimed its provisions, when taken together, offered the support and confidence farmers required to help themselves, whilst avoiding any controversial initiatives. The synthesis of ‘expert’ opinion, parliamentary lobbying and ministerial discussion, encapsulated in the White Paper, affords an example of the difficulties government met in reconciling expectations of a more proactive approach to policy making with the variety of insight and enterprise called for in ‘modernizing’ an industry so diverse in its circumstances as agriculture. 

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