'We perceive from Lord Salisbury's speech at Newport that he
half doubts whether there are properties in Essex on which the public payments amount to 10s. in the pound. We made the statement on good authority, and have since received the actual accounts of a small property in the Rochford Hundred. The farm, a very good one, had been let for the whole of this century for 240 a year till 1878, since when it has remained unlet, and the owner, in trying to get something off it, has lost E29 a year. The charge for tithe-rates and taxes upon this farm is 12s. 10d. an acre, or more than half the highest letting rate now obtainable. Of course, such instances are not general ; but they are numerous in Essex, and they show, what we have always contended, that Liberals have neglected rural finance too long. The whole question of rating wants a thorough sifting, and a reform such as Sir Robert Peel or Mr. Gladstone a few years ago would have attempted. It would be absurd to pur- chase such a farm for investment when even 2 per cent. Consols are obtainable.
Previous page
