AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2802, 28 June 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION.

TO THK EDITOR. Sir,—The "American Agriculturalist" is greatly concerned about the agricultural depression now being experienced all through the States, and in a series of articles from leading agricultural correspondents in this month's journal we gather that the price of ail tigrioultural produce is below the cost of production. Now, this is what is taking place in a country with 70,000,000 of a population, and the most progressive in the world. Twwns and cities spring up as if by magic, huge steamers are carrying thousands of emigrants to its shores every month from Great Britain and Ireland and the Continent of Europe, yet ita agriculturalists are languishing. Surely it cannot ba because they have no market for their produce. Railway freights ave I seven times less than in this colony, water carriage is exceedingly low, labour is cheap, rmd machinery of the very best kinds are invented and mado on the spot. Yet with all these advantages farming is languishing, and farms are being deserted in this grand country. Should not this be a lesson to us. We are crying out that we need mori> population to consume our productions and to share our burdens, which is fondly believed would bring back increabed prosperity. Now, let us not delude ourselves any longer. If a large and increasing population does not make the American fanners prosperous, can we, as reasonable men, expect that \t will hq,ve the oppose effect with us, Are we not feeding thousands more than we did a few years ago, seeing that we export some three or four millions worth of produce, and our population is 100,000 larger than eight or nine years ago ; and yet land in the Waikato ia nearly ."'jo per cent, lower now than then, and difficult to sell at any price. We need to look this matter plainly in the face. We cannot shirk it if we would ; the pressure is becoming heavier every year, we need not expect any advance in the prices of produce, the tendency is to lower prices, as with leviathan uteamer* and the eleotrjc wires prices are being equalised all over tho world, but unfortunately they always assimilate with the lowest, us not deceive ourselven any longer, increasing our population, lowering railway and steamer freights, cheapening labour, increasing our production, and opening up foreign markets for our products ; all these will not bring prosperity to the agriculturalist, or else we should find these things doinp; it in America. \ Ljeljeve tb,at fqr a country to be prosperous the farming interest must be on a a sound and bolid basis. It i« the first industry of any country. We cannot exist without it is the foundation upon which all other industries aie erected, and if the foundation is not right neither can the' superstructure be. Our present economic systems breeds a plethora of lawyers, agents of all kinds and conditions, publicans, enormous armies and navies, and others too numerous to mention. All these have to be fed ; they are the non-producing element; they are sapping the vitals of the nation. They are like the blight on our fruit trees, whilst they are feeding on that which sustains then) i\t b\\§ sairje time, are destroying tjie sQu.rce front whence they draw their sustenance j we know it" it; the effect of a cause, and are trying to find out the cause, and we give honour to the man that discovers it. How often are trees cut down to prevent the pest from spreading. Now, if these pests could speak they would condemn the man that discovered something to destroy and exterminate and, so do the parasites thaj. aia ' preying upon our wealth produoers condemn those who are labouring and working to exterminate our present pernicious systems—systems that are working such dreadful and direful suffering amongst the toilers in all countries. Now it is no use blaming the pests, for that which ive sow we must, (ixj-iexi; tq VG-iP? Vy'u du uut sow tlioruti and expeot to gathor grapes Yob wo send men tol'arliamuutnot because of their sterling worth, but rather because they are good at working a job to get some advantage for our district, unmindful of the interest of the people at large, and we are surprised that we do not reap good and luscious fruit. Sj'ow, such be.ng the oase,'"it would be like gathering grapes from brpmbles to get good laws and institutions from the class of men that has hitherto represented this colony, we have cot what wo fully deserved —we have sown the wind, and we are now reaping the whirlwind. Efow could it be otherwise. One of our saicj a man pi,ula rjot play a lone hand, that ic was a houae of compromises." What a sad reflection, no wonder we are now floundering in the slough of despond, and I am afraid will continue to do so, until we rise as one man, willing to sacrifice our own and our district's welfare for t!;e jjood of all if need be, but we must ranembor that it' we work for tho good of the whole, we are at tho same time rendering the best and truest service to ourselves and oar descendants. It is gross selfishness that 18 crushing the vitals out of our best find most valuable cjtizens. vjz., the agricultural community. 'Jhe occupation is cue cf the most natural,'and is carried or;

under natural conditions, hence it dues not breed that cunmns? and knavery that is found amongst the donizeiid of our towns mid cities, whoso lives aro more artificinl. I am not now stilting that all our farmers are pure, for many of thorn have been brought up in the towns, and know these tricks, but I am satisfied of this, that taken as a class there is no comparison between them and any other for sterling honesty and integrity of purpose. Let our Farmers' Clubs rise up to the grandeur of the high and noble position they ought, and I hope will occupy. Their influence must dominate and elevate all the rest of society. The foundation of the agricultuial interest must be made as firm as » rock that cannot be moved. First, we have too long been trying to make the top of the edifice gorgeous, grand and beautiful, and neglecting the foundation ; hence the shaking and tottering of the super structure. Look at our rangnificient cities, with their colossal buildings, filled with all kinds of costly goods and fabrics; look at the palatial suburban residences of our merchant princes and traders, and then go round the agricultural districts and seethe miserable shanties that many of our wealth-producers occupy. Why should it be so? Doeii it not go to prove that ou present social and economic systems aio unjust and iniquitous. As I said before, let our farmers rise to the high position they are destined to occupy. It is wise that they should do all in their power to improve the breeds of our flocks and herds, and our horses and pigs; to mike two blades of grass (trow where only one grew before. By so doing they aro rendering' noble service tn humanity. This is their true function, and it should be the object and aim of all those who are not directly farmers themselves to render every possible assistance to such laudable endeavours. The farmer's occupation ia a difficult and trying one; he has many obstacles to overcome and surmount, obnoxious pests, parasites, bad weather, and one hundred and one other things that are unknown to townspeople, and all the talent and leisure he may have is moro than needed to cope with these ; but, unfortunately, at the present time his greatest difficulty is how to make a living and pay his way. He does not complain that he cannot grow plenty of produce; but when it is grown and sold he is psorer. Now this kind of thins: cannot go on for ever ; it must sooner or later come to an end. If those outside the fanning profession cannot solve this complex problem, then, I say, it behoves the farmers themselves to undertake its solution ; and to my mind this is at the present time the most urgent problem that the farmers have stariusr them in the face. There are plenty of books telling how to grow crops, and how to improve the breed of animals, which are perfectly reliable, because their teachings have been tried, and found correct; but it is otherwise with the terrible social problems by which we are surrounded. These are waiting our solution. We distrust the men who have made a study of them. We call them anarchists, communists, socialists, fadists, and fanatics. We are afraid that if their.teachings were carried out disaster would ensue, while we are willing to remain in a fool's paradise, trusting that Providence will in hia own Rood time bring , about the necessary changes to cause happiness and contentment to reign supremo. As well might we wait for crops to grow without ploughing, manuring and sowing the seed. Now, the question will naturally bo asked, how can these most difficult and complex problems be solved. Well, it will not be by standing still. Knowledge will not come by hoping, wishing and waiting. No ! It must be sought diligently after. There are many books and periodicals dealing with these momentous questions. Our farmers' clubs should make it one of their special functions to disseminate literature and instruction upon these great subjects. We should be particularly careful that nothing is done to impair tlie efficiency of our primary .system of education. It is mainly to the schoolmaster that we shall have to look as the first cause of all the reformations that will take place in the future, as it has been in the past. Any retrenchment detrimental to our primary education will be a great and irretrievable loss, and I hope the farmers will resist with all their powers any such retrograde movement. —Yours, &c, Progress.