THE PROBLEM OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE. [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.] Set,—In your issue of December 9th your correspondent under the above head states that " the farmer-owner class .is subject to tithe and rates undreamed of fifty years ago." I say nothing about rates, but in regard to tithe reference to any list will show that from 1873 to 1880 tithe stood at a higher rate than at the present moment. The writer suggests " reform the tithe anomaly " ; but it can only be reformed by redemption, and none would rejoice more at such redemption than the tithe-owning country clergy. I must point out that under the Tithe Commutation Acts a bargain was made between the parties concerned to which the clergy have stuck loyally ever since. In the many years when tithe was more than 30 per cent. below par they never organized a campaign for relief nor was any such relief suggested by the other parties to the bargain. I do not think that tithe-owners deserve the hard words which are often spoken against them. It is well, also, to remember that every purchaser of land charged with tithe buys it with his eyes open, knowing that it is so charged, and knowing also that he will pay less for it in consequence. The only remedy is some system of redemption which shall be fair to all parties concerned.—I am, Sir, &c.
EDWARD MIMING FLRTII.
Houghton Rectory, Stachbri:lge, Hants.
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