FARMING IN ENGLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5427, 30 November 1895, Page 7

FARMING IN ENGLAND.

A most painful pioture of the conditio* of agricultural Norfolk is given by Mr ItHenry Rew, assistant commissioner to th» - Royal Commission on Agriculture, in hii summary of the results of his offloial inquiry in that county. The cloud oi depression, he says, has become blanker and blacker, until a positive gloom has fallen over the face of the country. Old f amiliei are gone, old houses are shut up or let to strangers, old acres are abandoned or art owned or occupied by new men. Steadily relentlessly, the depression deepened and spread until the seasons of 1898 and 1891 aggravated and accentuated the troubU with startling suddenness. Reductions of rent, ranging from 20 to 60 per cent., hays ruined many landowners (many of them having heavy charges to meet) without saving their tenants. Many ot the oldest tenants of the best farms on the best estates are giving or have given notice, and refuse to stay on any terms* They have made up their minds to "get out of it" at any sacrifice, having lost all heart in their businesi, and all hops . in the future. Many of the best and most respected farmers have been ruined, and those who are left are fearful of meeting the same fate. The labourer haa found ■. his occupation decreased and- his wagei lower than e7er during the winter. Thi fall in prioes, aggravated by difficult seasons, is the main cause of this, situation; which, view it as one may, oan only bey regarded with feelings of sadhess and consternation. ■ ■ **