LESSENED INCOMES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 321, 7 October 1908, Page 5

LESSENED INCOMES.

WHERE THE BOOT PINCHED. It is estimated that the wool farmers of New Zealand had their indbmes reduced last season (up to March 31) on the exported part of their produce by over one and a-half 'million pounds sterling. This is a largo amount for a small country like New Zealand; its effect on trade is apparent when it is considered that the loss is equal to 30s. per head for the whole population of the country. The effect on trade would, perhaps, bo intensified by reason of tho infectious habit of economy which tho lessened incomo would set into motion. The loss was distributed as follows:— , ' . £ Loss on wool exported 1,465,702 Loss 'oil mutton exports ... ... 161,182 Increase on lamb exports 27,251 Neii Loss ... 1,599,633 In fact, the sheep-farmers had to be content with 15s. 9sd. in tho £ as compared with their previous year's incomo. These figures, however, overstate the actual loss for the season, because up to March last an abnormal proportion of the - exportable wool still remained .unexported. Tliafr. has now been exported, and will have to bo allowed for against the estimated loss. Still _ the pinch of the past season has been painful enough. Dairy farmers, however, fared better. While wool men had a big clip with' a small price, the dairy farmers had a drought— smitten output with fabulous prices—at least in regard to butter. On the' whole their incomes from abroad last season wero greater by £158,922. than in tho previous year. Next to the wool men tho hemp producers were bit hardest. Their incomos were cut down by an extent of about 3s. 7d. in tho pound—a total reduction of £162,171.