ARGENTINA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 11

ARGENTINA.

A LAND AGENT'S VIEW.

An interesting light upon land conditions in Argentina, is given in a letter received by a- Wellington gentleman from a firm of Argentine land agents, Messrs Farran and Zimmermann. They write: — " Your favour dated the 27th of July has come to hand, and we are very pleased to hear you have taken a liking to Argentina and intend to return. Since you left the country things have changed a bit, making it more favourable for buyers, as, on account of the general scarcity of money in the European -markets, banks here have , restricted credits, which has put a stop to speculation in stocks and' land. Prices for good lands 200 miles from Buenos Aires etill hold their value, because owners refuse to sell at lower, figures, and prefer taking money on mortgage than selling at reduced figures. Still, their value is at a «tandstill, and can be considered, commercially speaking, 5 to 10 per cent, cheaper than 12 I months ago. , " The prospects for settled down farmers | (not speculators) are just as good as they , were last year, if not better, considering the enormous rise in wheat, linseed, and maize, to say nothing of steers, which are selling at most satisfactory figures. So we really don't see why farmers should be uneasy, I and, as far as we are concerned, we are \ most satisfied with the results of the different places under our care, and only hope produce prices will continue at their pre- ! sent ■ level, which markes . farming a most productive business, taking- land at its I present value. , The fact that speculation, and the enormous movement it caused, has ' disappeared, does not in any way modify farmers' productions or profits, and, on the • other hand, we believe nothing better could I have" happened to the country,, as errat'c i speculation is dangerous, and especially co I in our country, which depends entirely on j the European market.' ' I " Our Government is settled as far as revolution is concerned, and we don't anticipate any political- movement that could upset the present authorities, who are fulling the country with many good intentions, even if not considered prudent enough, fax

the Opposition parties. Life and property are perfectly safe, as you yourself can testify. We can quite understand all sorts of reports reaching you about Argentina, but within a very short number of years those who gave up the idea of visiting the country or purchasing, guided by the^ false reports of newspapers or Governments, will no doubt deeply repent not having sought *■ information and advice from those that have visited the country and know something about it. " "Wfc have a nice lot of 1000 male lambs being got ready for the freezers, bred on natural grazing, which we feel sure would once more prove that Argentina can produce fat lambs without the aid of artificial fodder. i '" Lands 200 miles from Buenos Aires are worth £4- to £8 per acre, according to class, distance from railway station, im- ■ provements, etc. We would recommend settlers to take up lands 500 to' 600 miles from Buenos Aires, which have every rail- ! way accommodation, and can be had in the Pampa Central at £1 to £2 per acre, j according to improvements, etc."