GREAT FALL IN INCOME.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 3213, 28 January 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

GREAT FALL IN INCOME.

Farm accounts, when they have, been kept with moderato accuracy, are deeply interesting at, such a timo as tho present. Wo liavo just seen two bnlaneo sheets relating to a Derbyshire farm of between 400 and 500 acres of a moderate oharaotcr. One of thjso documents relates to tho year ISB2 and the other to the present year, and the difference in price of the produce cold in each year is no less than £447105. In 18S2 tho farmer made from his sales £1,2?0 10s,, this year only 1823, - The differonco in shown by tho following figures There was £BB less,for cheeso, £lO for butter, £B9 in value of draft cows, £10710.«, in winter bullocks, £2 10s; in calves, £45 in hoggots. £55 in draft ewos, £37105. in fat wethers, and £2O in wool. With regard to rent, tho position wasverv much tho same in both years, although thero had been remissions at Various rates of percentage, but no permanent drop iu the rent itself. In such cases as, these, perhaps, some roliof might bo found in rent reduction, but tho loss is so groat that it would probably not bo more than covered if the land were hold rent free. Farming is at a low ebb just now, and in only too many oases rents havo not beon made this year, It. has been simply and cruelly impossible to make farms pay, and where the spring rents are; to como from is in many chPOH a -mystery,; ovoiv though the fall rents liavo boon or can partly bo met. Something more thnn a more reduction of rent will have to bo found to romody tho depression from which British farmers aro suffering. If thero is anything worso in store, ' British farming will' bo entiroly ruined, and tho British farmer will have to. join tho, ranks of tho unemployed,' What is—what will bo—the solution of this difficulty? Who rind whero is tho miin who has power to' see the way through it? Will- tho 'National Conference, which is just about to be held, prodiico the man and tho romedy, or will that big mooting be all talk, ending in nofhing 1 practical? Thoso who believe they can discern tho road out of tho; difficulty are exhorted to speak out, oven if their. ideas are novel oven to surprise, The' largest industry of the kingdom has to bo saved, and the true remedy, whatever it maybe, must be unfalteringly supported by overy agriculturist in : tho Kingdom, 1 and indeed by all who are concerned in tho general prosperity of the kingdom.:-