The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1886. FARMERS’ TROUBLES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1518, 27 November 1886, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1886. FARMERS’ TROUBLES.

Thk farmers of Otago are evidently determined to do henceforth without middle-men, and secure to themselves that large portion of the fruits of their toil on which city gentlemen have been living. Last year there was a great commotion in Otago over what was known as the bag question. Just on the eve of the delivery of the grain the merchants and bnyers resolved to charge for all the bags they sold to the farmers bat not to allow anything for bags when they bought the grain. The injustice of this coarse naturally enough evoked a very strong feeling amongst the farmers, but it was too late in the season and they could not help themselves. They are taking time by the forelock, however, this year, end they have come to the determination of being prepared for such a contingency should it arise. Another thing which appears to trouble the farmers of Otago is the custom of allowing per cent to agents for selling their grain. This they also seem determined to resist, A meeting of delegates from all the agricultural societies of the province was held last Wednesday in the Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin, and on the motion of Mr James Shand it was resolved—- " That the farmers as a body resist the charge of allowing per cent, discount on the sale of wheat, and that all'bags containing grain or produce shall be paid for or returned,” In the course of tbe speech which Mr Shand made in moving this resolution he proved himself to be possessed of a good deal of common sense. He said—“He did sot think the depression was going to pass away speedily, bat tbe brunt of it, which bad hitherto been borne solely by the farmer and squatter, must now fall on tbe moneyed and laboring classes. Tbe price of land and stock bad gone down one-half, but the wages in the labor market had not been reduced more than 10 per cent, and tbe money market had hardened. The farmers were getting smeller prices than formerly, yet they found it more difficult to get money. Unquestionably the moneyed people had been getting far more for their money than it was worth; and the farmers should endeavor to get themselves out of tbeir power. There was no reason why they should not start a bank, which, if properly managed, must pay. He believed they would be able to get money from Home at 3 per cent, so that they could lend it out —within moderate limits, of course—at 5 per cent. They would then be independent of the money-lenders and agenli. (Applause). This could not be done in a day, but the plan was feasible. There was not a better industry for the country than the meat-freezing one, and yet the farmer and squatter could not get their fair share out of it.” This very nearly comes to the same thing as that which we have been always advocating. It is now about two years ago since we suggested to the Canterbury Fat men/ Co-operative Society the cU-l

suability of establishing a farmer’s bank in connection with that institution, and so far as we can learn the idea has been well received by many of the leading men of the society. Mr Shand is quite right in saying the money rings will feel the depression. There is no doubt bat that they will ; they are catting a bircb that will beat their own backs yet. Bat they are so blinded by their desire to accumulate wealth af present that they cannot see what the future has in re for them. We cannot, however, agree with Mr Shand that farmers can borrow money at Home at 3 per cent, and lend it here at 5 per cent. That is pure nonsense. Money can never become cheaper so long as it is drained ont of the country as fast as it is made. Money must be olentifnl before it can become cheep, and it is impossible for it to become plentiful when every penny we can beg, steal, or borrow is swallowed up in interest to foreigners. There is only one way in which money can be cheapened, and that is by establishing a National Bank. This, however, is a question that many cannot understand, They understand very well borrowing and lending, but they ean on no account fathom the mysteries of banking. However, the idea of cheap money is gaining ground ; there is not a corner of the land in which it is not discussed, and possibly the subject may yet be understood. There is another inaccuracy in Mr Shand’s speech. Be complains that the price of labor has not been reduced more than 10 per cent. Now that is not a fact: labor has been reduced in some instances 50 per cent. Men working by the week have not probably come down so low as that, but contractors have. There is not the slightest doubt but that oontracts are taken at 50 per cent less than they were a few years ago. Whatever the wages are, no one need envy the working man’s position at present. He is badly off enough, and if things get wojse, there is no doubt but public relief must keep large numbers of his class from starving. People ought to direct their attention to the cause of all depression—that is, deer money, It is crushing the people, checking industry, impeding progress, and sacking the life-blood of the colony. Dear money, and not deal labor, is the cause of the distressed condition of the country, and it is to this people ought to direct tbeir attention.