Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5760, 4 May 1880, Page 3

Ia the March number of the American Agriculturist appear the following rather big suggestions, addressed to American farmers. Can they not be addressed to Australian and New Zealand farmers just as well, for are not grain and meat being shipped home from these colonies, the former in large quantities ? It is believed that in due course butter and other products will follow. Indeed, it may be anticipated that in a little while the price of most articles of consumption will be almost equalised throughout the world—such will be the result of science and steam. "There is no fear of a surplus. The world's markets are at our feet. The fear that we may produce more than can be disposed of, is a bug-bear and a phantom. It has been conclusively shown, that at a certain price, we caa control all the European markets, and that this price, while it pays us fairly, is too small for a profit to the European farmers, who have to pay large rents, heavy taxes, employ expensive labour, and use costly fertilisers. Think for a moment! There are seven millions of soldiers in Europe, who are non-producers, and expensive consumers; two or three millions of army horses, all eating, and not working; emperors, kings, princes, and titled persons of all kinds, who are supported in the greatest luxury out of the public revenues ■ and ' the farmer pays for all.' We need not fear to compete with farmers so burdened; our prosperity consists in lessening the cost of our produce, and selling it to those nations, who thus hamper themselves with burdens too grievous to be borne; becoming, in fact, the food producers for a large portion of the population of the world, nearly one-half living without labour. All that is necessary is to study and learn accurately the true principles of our profession as farmers, and put in practice the most effective work. How to do these, is what the American Agriculturist has taught, and is still teaching." Previous to the great advance in cotton, linen, and woollen goods, T. McMaster purchased through his agent in the English and Scotch markets a very large stock of dresses, mantles, jackets, blankets and flannels, men's and boys 1 clothing, also a large assortment of millinery and fancy goods. These gosds are now opened, and buyers of drapery would do well to see them before making their fpurchases.—[Advt.]