AMERICAN FARMERS AND PROTECTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1822, 23 April 1888, Page 3

AMERICAN FARMERS AND PROTECTION.

Under the heading " Proteclionist " contributes tho following to the " Lyttelton Times " : — We are constantly told that the American farmers are being ruined by Protection. Tho following shows how they have been ruined for a period of thirty years, during twenty of which thoy have worked under the highest protective tariff m the world, imposed m 1861 : — "In 1850 the number of farms m the United States was. 1,440,073, and their value was 3,271,575 426 dollars, or £654,315.085. In 1880 the number had advanced to 4,008,907, and the va'uo to 10,197,096.776d01, or £2,039,419,355."— ('Roberts on Revenue. ") The farmers have also suffered ' ■ ruination " by being compelled to accept very much higher prices for their products as the following will show : —

Under tbe tariff of 1846 the average du'ies weie about 24 per osnt, and the following were the prices of tha articles named : —

Eggs— 4centa per doz

Wheat — 37£centa per bua Stock hogs — lcont per lb Steels — sdol to 7dol each

Corn — 12^centa per tnu. Under the tar. lf of 1883 the average duties were about 43 per cent, and tbe following were the prices m the " Chicago Tribune " of January 18, 1883 :—

Eggs — 21 cinta to 25 cents per doz Wheat— Very dull at 9J| cents to 9 cents per bus.

Stock houa — 5 cents to 10 cants per lb, Steers — Medium to good, 3dol 60 cents to 4dol 50 cents per cwt. Corn— Quiet at 60£ cents to 62cents per bus.

Of course, these high prices are the results of the creation of large cities und towns by Protection,, the population of tsuch centres of activity causing greater demand for the products of the farmer, '