A SAD PICTURE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1339, 12 May 1885, Page 3

A SAD PICTURE.

The author of the recent publication, "The Redistribution of Parlimentary Seats," in a letter to one of his relatives in Sydney by a recent mail from England, thus descants (says Town and Country) on the great distress existing in the Old Country:—"The stagnation of trade and business makes everybody feel uneasy, and many investors expect to receive some blow w hich will diminish their invested funds ; nor do they see any revival possible for another two years. The losses of the farmers and gentry through the very low prices of corn and the cattle disease have told lamentably on the spending power of the country, probably to the extent of 40 millions sterling, at least; and as long as foreign produce and goods are admitted in competition free of duties this depression muse continue, and our countrymen sta/ve. The working men who suffer most are slowly waking up to this fact, that unreciprocal free trade is becoming a curse. But do as they will, it is too evident that agriculture in England can never thrive again, and must reflect its depression on our Home trade, which is over two-thirds of the whole. Distress now reckons its million or two victims, and will increase with a hard winter, which is looked for. If we ward off riot and destruction, it will be by the good sense of the sufferers out of work, for it is doubtful whether private or parochial aid can overtake one-half of the misery foreseen."