Economic and financial section > Agricultural crisis > Volume 1

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be regarded as the sole causes of the crisis. Action taken by a single country may also
constitute an immediate and powerful factor of disorganisation, and even on occasion
of economic disturbance, for States with which the country in question maintains close
commercial relations. The effect on one country of action taken by a second country
is not confined to the former.
But there are factors of the agricultural crisis which are international in character,
and that is a consideration of essential importance. The fundamental causes of the
crisis should be considered in the light of the general economic conditions of the world.
It would be the greatest mistake to imagine that any State, however skilful its conduct
of affairs and however energetic its Government or population, is in a position by its
own strength and capacity unaided to do away with the causes of such an economic
upheaval as that through which mankind is at the moment passing. The problems of
agriculture are not bounded by the frontiers of any one country. The interdependence
of the various peoples has never been so apparent. The solution of the agricultural
crisis cannot be the work of a single State. No national solution can relieve this vast
and universal problem.
As the essential reasons of the agricultural crisis in the various countries are to
all appearance of a universal character, the possibilities of coping with the crisis in
a particular country are very limited. In the case of a large number of agricultural
products, the present situation raises at the outset the question of the balance between
production and consumption, so that the position of the international markets assumes
much greater importance for agriculture in the various countries than it has held in the
past. Agriculture has remained too long outside the general economic system of the
world, and in spite of dangerous shocks received, which were in the nature of warnings,
it has not taken the question of foreign markets sufficiently into account.
The agricultural systems of the various countries are beginning to realise, and will
indeed be forced to conclude, that national production cannot stand alone irrespective
of the position of the world market. In times of prosperity and disaster alike the nations
have the same interests in regard to all great economic movements. Agriculture, like
the other industries, is necessarily bound to have recourse to international agreements.
The agriculturists are called upon to organise themselves in such a manner as to
enable them to meet and discuss their problems on an international footing like the
other industries. The agricultural industry will henceforward be dominated by an
instinctive sense of this imperative necessity.
The international congresses of agriculturists are thus losing increasingly their
former character of academic meetings. The contact of the different interests, tends
to bring together conflicting points of view. The periodical consideration of agricultural
problems from an international angle at the conferences of the League of Nations and at
the general meetings of the International Institute of Agriculture and the International
Agricultural Commission have led to the development of striking efforts at co-operation
in the agricultural field, which had for long seemed one of the branches of economic
activity furthest removed from co-ordinated international action. It is essential to
take a hand in these efforts, with the exercise of due care, no doubt, and having regard
to the complicated character of the economic facts, but with the utmost possible measure
of goodwill.
Free Trade and Protection.
Considerable difference of opinion amongst the agricultural experts is apparent
in regard to the question of protection or free trade for agriculture.
Some experts believe that under free trade the mere play of economic forces would
make it possible to restore the situation. Amongst the obstacles to the normal marketing
of agricultural products they give first place to the Customs barriers which, they