IRISH AGRICULTURE.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13485, 3 June 1914, Page 5

IRISH AGRICULTURE.

DEPARTMENT'S REPORT

DISAPPEARANCE OF THE

"GO-BEEN MAN."

London, May 30.

The report of the Committee of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Education in Ireland states that the mortgage indebtedness on Irish land is probably increasing by two millions annually. Money-lenders have greatly increased, whilst the "Go-been man" has almost disappeared, but the injurious effect of lo»g credit with the shops 'has been found in various districts. Much of it was for feeding stuffs which the farmer could himself grow. The savings of the rural classes, amounting to many millions, have been withdrawn from pr^ductiy,e use locally and transferred -for investment to London.

The report adds that great assistance to the economic progress of rural Ireland would be possible if only part of this money were available for lending to small farmers.