asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that a serious situation exists in rural areas because farmers are unable to dispose of their store cattle at an economic price, if at all; that the recent very severe weather created a serious shortage of feeding stuffs and that this fact taken in conjunction with seasonal demands for cash as a result of the food production campaign has placed farmers in an embarrassing position; and, if so, if he will state if he has made any recent approach to the British Minister with a view to having this situation eased.

I am aware that recently the demand for store cattle has been slow, but I do not think that because of this fact the financial position of the farming community generally is as serious as represented by the Deputy. It is anticipated that the export trade will improve during the late spring and summer. Presumably British buyers will continue to take any cattle they may require and no negotiations between the two Governments can compel them to take more. I can see no object, therefore, in approaching the British authorities in the matter.