66 AGRICULTURE .IND TARIFF REFORM. 



patliising witli tlie view lield by tlie majority of 

 the witnesses, did not actually incorporate Pro- 

 tection in one of tlieir recommendations, but tbey 

 did include an alteration in tlie currency, namely, 

 for establishing bi-metallism. Mr. Armitaffe- 



O O 



Smith, however, accepts with alacrity the Com- 

 missioners' more or less definite views on one 

 matter, namely, on Protection; but on the other, 

 bi-metallism, he absolutely disagrees with them, 

 Vv^hich apparently shows that he accepts, without 

 argument, the Commissioner's views when it suits 

 his purpose to do so, and disagrees altogether 

 with the views held by the great majority of 

 witnesses and farmers themselves when it does 

 not suit his purpose. It seems to us that the men 

 practically engaged in agriculture are better 

 guides even than the Commissioners in a matter 

 of this sort. 



Our author says : " Agriculture presents four 

 distinct interests or aspects for consideration, 

 namely, the interest of the agricultural labourer, 

 farmer, landlord, and consumer." The con- 

 sumer is undoubtedl}^ benefited by low prices and 

 abundance. The labourers, we are told, have 

 benefited, although, it is added, " there is a 

 decline in their efficiency." Landlords, it is 

 apparently admitted — indeed, it cannot be denied, 

 for the facts are too patent to the least casual 

 enquirer — have suffered greatly in a fall of rents ; 

 especially in the arable districts. As an off-set 

 to this fall of rents v,'e are asked to remember 

 that prices of consumable goods have also fallen ; 



