The Farmers' Finance
SIR —My friend, Mr. Worth, is a first-rate farmer, and he lives in 3 district justly famous for its progressive attitude and high output. It is, therefore, not surprising that his letter iii the Spectator of October 7Ils should be based upon the experiences of South Lincolnshire. But one cannot argue from the particular to the general, and even Mr. Worth's arguments based on the particular will not, I imagine, stand very close scrutiny. The implications of Mr. Worth's letter, though be does not state them in so many words, are that a reduction in farm prices today would lead to a higher output. This, at least, is the converse of who! I said and which has called forth such an indignant denial from Mr. Worth. On the last occasion when prices dropped—in the early 'twenties —the result was a decline in production over the whole country, and even South Lincolnshire was not excluded. Mr. Worth has given no reason, for thinking that anything different would take place today. The gist of my article was: Is Professor Cooper right in asserting that British agriculture is only at half cock, and, if so, are high prices to blame? If the answers to these two -questions are "Yes," would it be wise to lower prices ; and, if not, what should be done instead? So far as I can make out from Mr. Worth's letter, he answers "Yes" to the first two questions, and apparently " Yes " to the third, on the grounds that it is demoralising to get something for nothing. Not content with lowering prices, I suppose he would also abolish ploughing-up Van",
grants for water supplies and liming, and calf subsidies. I do not believe that even the South Lincolnshire farmer would feel inspired to go all out for increased production after this, no matter how eloquently Mr. Tom Williams appeals to his courage, energy and character.—Yours truly,
Previous page
