That was a curious disclosure by this journal's Tsingtao correspondent to the effect that certain operations, im fulfilment of the barter system adopted by the Chinese Government for the interchange of commodities, had resulted in purchases of peanuts prices much above those ruling in the local market or shipment. to Europe where the prices were sold to be £2 0 ton. tess than the prevalent rate in Ctana, The consequence, to quote from the Tsing Gespatch, was to send "local prices to skyrocket." The raising of prices for agricultural products may good in that it gives that long-suffer-{ng framer better hopes of an econo-mie livelihood. Unsclentifle processes which suddenly dislocate the market in the manner indicated cannot be satisfactorily: regarded in that light. To begin with they carry with. them no, promise of stability which, in self, ig desirable for farmer no less than' for the buyer. The Govern ment is right in taking the general view that assistance (o the agricul {urist and cultivator is essential to the economic reconstruction of the country. The question is whether it is wise to approach this issue from the marketing end. The intervention of the State in controlling or affect Ing Drices is always a delicate bus ness and requires much experience and restraint to handle, By. far. the more effective means of making real contribution to the advancement of the agricultural industry Is to. give the farmer assistance and guidance graissing the quality of his pro-use, regulating its growth, eradicate ing crop-disease, snd general improvement in methods of cultivation. 'The diMeullies in the tea-srowin industry directly spring from a neglect' of measures to prevent the deterioration of crops, so that now <apart from the high-grade teas—the. bulk of export of that commodity" is used for" adulterant Durposes," That is an ignominious position for what' should one Of China's finest. and least: disputed export trades. Grest Britain to-day Purchases arnly one-tenth of China's annual export of ten and that represents an infinitesimal proportion of British tea purchases in. the world markd, "Yet Chine introduced tea to English pots and cups. The morals
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.