The Argus at KellyGang 13/12/1878 (8)

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TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS

Sir, - It is time someone took charge of our police arrangements who could put an end to the present disgraceful state of things. Early last week the police gave intimation to the banks in the country towns bordering in the Kelly district that one or other of them was to be "stuck up," and yet, with this knowledge, nothing was done.

Half a dozen men in plain clothes at each of the four places warned ought to have been on the look out for the Kellys when they turned up , but no, another surprise, although forewarned. I need offer no comment on these facts, as I am sure public indignation will be quite sufficient if you publish this letter.

Melbourne , Dec 12. A. P.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS  

Sir, - Allow me a line in your valued columns to point a suggestion to bankers which they would do well to seriously consider. I have been in charge of a "branch" on a gold-fields rush, and know the responsibility and danger of the post.

I would suggest to our bankers the urgent need of secret communication between the banking offices and managers' rooms - say an electric bell, which should be placed where the teller could operate without attracting attention; this would warn the manager, and enable him to retire for assistance, or prepare for resistance, as the case might be.

If you think the above worthy of space, and likely to act on the powers that be, you will please publish it, and confer a favour on our branch of the community - Yours, &.c ,  

BRANCH BANK.

EFFECT OF WEATHER ON FARMING

An extremely discouraging account of the condition and prospects of the farming, industry is given by the Goulburn Valley Advocate, in an article which we quoted yesterday. The question, " Does farming pay?" receives from our contemporary a reply distinctly in the negative. ln support of this statement, attention is called to the fact that there are hundreds of farms in the market, with no purchasers, while it is alleged that the value of agricultural land has depreciated fully 50 per cent within the last two years. For this state of things, our contemporary blames the present Government, who, by "their fiscal policy and misgovernment have succeeded in driving, capital out of the country." While these remarks apply with particular force to the Goulburn district, they no doubt describe correctly the condition of affairs in many other localities. "How is an improvement to be made?" is the question which the farmer should ask himself. We would remind him that his difficulties commenced when he became burdened with protective duties, established for the benefit of a few favoured classes. He is more heavily handicapped than perhaps any other worker in the community, for nearly every implement and appliance used in tilling, the soil is included in the 20 per cent list. The journal which we have quoted recognises this fact, and asks every faimer to put himself thiis question: -"Can I, in justice to myself and others dependent on me, afford to give £20 out of every £100 (in other words, four shillings in the pound) that I receive in support of native industríes which were to have kept the monev in the coluntry, and found me a market for my surplus produce, but which failed in both respects?" Only one answer can be made. The farmer cannot afford to be taxed all round for the enrichment of the manufacturer, and he ought to make up his mind to refuse support to any parity or faction which adopts protection is one of its leading, principles. Hitherto he has been short sighted enough to throw in his lot with the protectionist, for amount the farmers and free seloctors the present Mimstry have counted their warmest adherents. The truth, however, if we may judge from the altered tone of an impor- tant section of the country press, is beginning to be found out and we trust that by the time the next elections take place the enlightenment will be complete.

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