Bad Times and Recovery 



95 



being bound up together. Four years' notice of repeal was to 

 be given. The Act was passed in December 1920, and was 

 repealed in June 1921. The Government compensated the farmers 

 by paying 3 for every acre of wheat grown in 1921, and ^4 for 

 every acre of oats. 



Agriculture is free again as it was in the years between 1850 

 and 1914. There has been a serious fall in prices, and very heavy 

 losses have been sustained. Wool for which farmers refused 

 V. 6d. per Ib. in the summer of 1920 they have had to sell at 4^. 



A Modern Motor-plough. 



and 6d. per Ib. in the summer of 1921. Agricultural wages have 

 been reduced. The cause of the depression is the diminution in 

 the purchasing power of the people. The war left an enormous 

 burden of taxation ; it stopped production and commerce. 

 Workmen are idle in every industry, and w^ages have fallen in 

 most. The market for farm produce is weak. Agriculture must 

 share the bad fortune as well as the good fortune of the country 

 and even of the world. In view of the magnitude of the war 

 its evil effects will probably be very great and very prolonged. 

 But however difficult times may be there is promise for the 

 future in the better feeling that exists between landlords and 



