164 PROTECTION AND TITHES 



Protection, because the Government applies the revenue- 

 which it yields to the reduction of local burdens on farm- 

 ing industries. From France comes the same tale. 

 France had always preserved an import duty of 60 cen- 

 times the quintal on foreign wheat, and of 1 fr. 20 c. on 

 foreign flour. In December, 1884, the Chamber of Depu- 

 ties decided to propose import duties not only on wheat 

 and flour, but on oats, rye, barley, and malt, which had 

 been hitherto imported free. In spite of strong protests, the 

 policy of Protection was finally adopted in 1885. The 

 duty on foreign wheat was fixed at 5s. Sd. the quarter, 

 and 25 francs per head was charged on all foreign cattle. 

 M. Tirard, the present Premier, was then Minister of Fi- 

 nance, and the Ministry promised increased duties if 

 agriculture did not improve. The pledge has been kept ; 

 the duty on foreign wheat was raised to 8s. 9d. in 1887, 

 and other duties in proportion. It may be added that 

 France annually imports eight million quarters of grain. 

 The recently published reports by English Consuls at 

 French ports show that 5s. 3d. per quarter was an in- 

 adequate duty. At Bordeaux duties on foreign cattle 

 have not raised the prices of live stock, which, within 

 the last two years, fell from 6 to 8 per cent., and the 

 same remark applies to cereals. Near La Rochelle corn 

 does not pay, live stock sells cheaper at each successive 

 fair, markets are overstocked with fruit and vegetables. 

 Peasant owners must either sell their land or be sup- 

 ported by the nation. They will undoubtedly choose 

 the latter alternative, and the next elections will be 

 decided on the cry for increased protection. In the 

 Brest district rents are unpunctually paid, and peasant 

 proprietors are falling hopelessly into debt. Bound 

 Havre import duties have not raised the price of cereals. 



