We have elsewhere described the " Kanitz Plan "for raising
the price of corn in Germany, which has so alarmed the Prussian Government. It is sure, according to the Berlin correspondent of the Times, to be rejected by the Committee on Agriculture now sitting ; but they are eagerly seeking for some method of increasing agricultural profits. Apparently, the steady drift of opinion is towards bounties to be paid for by special taxation of successful businesses. Large distillers, for example, are to be taxed, and the money spent in pro- moting export from small distilleries,—a sop to the growers of cereals ; while the growers of beet are to be conciliated by a bounty on exported sugar, which, it is stated, is " over- produced " throughout Germany. The only effect of these plans of course will be to increase taxes, and develop the tendency to over-production ; but the agrarian classes seem to be beyond the influence of reason. They say they must he ruined if present prices continue, and are ready to risk anything, even an overturn of the State, rather than face poverty.
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