Democrat’s View of Sheepfarming.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 32, 7 February 1901, Page 4

Democrat’s View of Sheepfarming.

Sir, —The prices paid for sheep this year by the freezing companies is marvellous, and shows beyond dispute that the demand is great, with an increasing market; also that the freezing companies are making largo profits. That we have oppositionjin this line, from other countries there is no doubt. But there being such a large and increasing market, and sheep-farming being one of the main industries of this colony, which is so well adapted for it, with none of those risks which other countries suffer from, such as drought, we are more than able to hold our own against outside competition. Sheepfarming is one of the most lucrative pursuits in the country, and those taking it up rightly consider [themselves the landed arostocrats of [the colony. At the present time their profits must be very large. The facilities allowed persons taking up land for this purpose, are remarkable, and the easy manner, and the low rate of interest at which money can be obtained, to improve and stock, once the land is secured, show that the banking institutions and other lenders consider the security second to none. The land can be so quickly cleared and easily grassed at a small cost, that the profits, which are very great, are almost immediately returnable. And the rush for land capable of being turned into grazing runs truly corroborates the above. The effects of this upon the colony as a whole, manifests itself in many ways. Some are worth enumerating to show more clearly the point at which I shall arrive. The land and income tax rests very lightly upon the sheepfarmers, as the greater part of this is returned again in an indirect manner such as Government grants for roading, which enhances the value of these properties, and in many other ways creates an unearned increment, which goes to the owner as occupier. The outlay upon a run is all reproductive, and in a few years solely amounts to working expenses, which are of a very nominal character, and the cost of living is far below that of the masses, so that in a few years the sheepfarmer becomes a wealthy magnate. The freezing companies purchase only the choicest of his flock, for which they pay the highest price, leaving behind the poorer class of mutton, which is consumed locally, and for which the sheepfarmers receive the highest price, because he controls the local markets. The butchers have a difficulty in purchasing, and are so compelled to pay the highest price for an inferior class of sheep, and here comes in the injustice; a most glaring anomaly exists. We are paying within a fraction of London prices for mutton which is produced at our back doors, and not so good as that which ws ship to foreign markets, and pay freight on and many other charges. And so long as this injustice is allowed to exist, the difference in the price between the choicest mutton and the inferior is unjustly wrung from the local consumer and goes directly in to the pockets of the sheepfarmer. The inhabitants of soma country districts are likened unto the castaways who in their agony exclaimed, “Water; Water! Oh! God; water all around, but none to drink.” One cannot go many yards from the back door but sheep are scurrying in all directions to get out of your way. And here is something to ponder over: We are paying 3Jd per lb for mutton grown round about us. ""it seems shameful, and only goes to show the enormous profit there is in sheep. The freezing trade has assumed such gigantic proportions, and has every prospect of further increasing; the [profits are in proportion, I have no doubt, and are secured by one particular class, who have the power to control the local markets to such an extent that it amounts to a monopoly, and is therefore contrary to-the principles of Democracy. I strongly advocate that an export duty be placed upon frozen mutton; or some other tax that will be an equivalent.—l am, etc. ■ j Democrat.