42 AGRICULTURE AND TARIFF REFORM. 



Friskuey, secured in 1882 for £1,070, lias since 

 only fetched .£555/' 



Tlie particulars given bear out wliat we have 

 previously said, viz., that the depression in agri- 

 culture is due to low prices, which, in turn, is 

 due to the unfair foreign competition in our 

 markets by foreign farmers. 



Rateable Yalue. 



In 1870 the rateable value of " lands " was 

 £;J9,835,088, or 38 per cent, of the total rates 

 on " all kinds of rateable property " in England 

 and Wales. In 1894 the figures were 

 £33,654,550 and 20"9 per cent, respectively; 

 whilst in 1899 they were £31,312,342 and 17 '8 

 respectively, thus showing great depreciation. 



In 189G it was possible, owing to the Agricul- 

 tural Eates Act, 1896, for the first time to find 

 out what was the actual rateable value of (a) 

 " agricultural land " ; the figures prior to that 

 date including (6) " lands other than agricultural, 

 farm houses, farm buildings, tithe rent charges, 

 and uncommuted tithes, but excluding lands 

 occupied as railways, canals, quarries, etc." In 

 the sum above given for 1899 is included 

 £7,277,639 (or 4M per cent.), being the rateable 

 value of (b) just alluded to, the item for (a) in 

 that year being, accordingly, £24,034,703 (or 13'7 

 per cent.). 



According to statements furnished to the Local 

 Government Board, the rateable value of "agricul- 

 tural lands " as deiiucd by the Agricultural Kates 

 Act, 1896, was: -In 1896, £24,565,058; in 1897, 



